PA AFL CIO UPDATE Feb 2012
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- Created on Monday, 20 February 2012 13:07
- Last Updated on Monday, 20 February 2012 13:09
- Written by Administrator
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Unions Beat Back Attack On Prevailing Wage
On Monday and Tuesday of this week, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), along with a gang of Republican House members, attempted to wage war on workers by raising the Prevailing Wage threshold from $25,000 to $185,000. House Bill 1329, the vehicle for this change, would have definitely cut workers’ wages, and likely would have led to more out-of-state contractors winning government contracts.
Stopping the Valentine’s Day Massacre wasn’t easy, but the thousands of phone calls and emails to legislators from all of you helped make it happen. For two intense days of fighting, your activism fended off the carnage – for now. Unions came together in a stunning show of solidarity.
But we can’t stop fighting against these changes, not now, not ever. For the next several weeks, House members will be in their district offices, and will return to Harrisburg on Monday, March 12th. We expect the supporters of this horrible legislation to regroup over the break, and return to Harrisburg with renewed energy and more plans to cut wages and attack workers.
Take Action: Call your State Representative. Tell them to stop attacking workers, stop trying to cut workers’ wages, and start creating real family-sustaining jobs
PUC Chairman Powelson Encourages PA Utilities to Participate in Programs to Create Energy Jobs
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- Created on Friday, 17 February 2012 21:02
- Last Updated on Friday, 17 February 2012 21:03
- Written by Administrator
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February 16, 2012
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chairman Robert F. Powelson today urged the state’s public utilities to participate in several new programs proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) to create jobs in the energy sector. The Chairman also noted that the time is right for job growth with the development of the Marcellus Shale industry and electric competition across the state.
“Today, I encourage Pennsylvania’s electric and natural gas utilities to learn from the example set by EEI and participate in the Troops to Energy Jobs program, as well as Governor Corbett’s Jobs First PA initiative," Chairman Powelson said in a statement at the PUC’s Public Meeting. "In the days ahead, the PUC will be coordinating with EEI and the Corbett Administration to connect our energy companies with these innovative programs.”
Utility Infrastructure
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- Created on Saturday, 11 February 2012 05:02
- Last Updated on Saturday, 11 February 2012 05:02
- Written by Administrator
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Utility Infrastructure Legislation Passes Unanimously
House Bill 1294 was passed by the State House on Tuesday, February 7th by a vote of 194-0, sending the bill to the Governor for his signature. HB 1294 was originally passed by the House back in October 2011, and contained very little language concerning workers' or consumers' safety. The Senate, recognizing the need for additional standards and safeguards, amended the legislation and passed its own version last month, requiring the House to concur on the Senate’s changes.
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO supported the legislation after it was amended by the Senate, which included consumer protection language, as well as language that requires the Public Utilities Commission to produce worker qualifications and standards.
Many jobs are expected to be created by this legislation, as it will encourage utility companies to make larger and more immediate improvements to gas, electric, and waste water infrastructure across Pennsylvania.
Annual IBEW Motorcycle Ride
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- Created on Saturday, 11 February 2012 05:26
- Last Updated on Monday, 20 February 2012 10:35
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 14
Re: IBEW New River Gorge Motorcycle Ride
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
The Annual IBEW Motorcycle Ride will take place in Charleston, West Virginia,
beginning Saturday July 21, 2012
. This year’s ride is called, The IBEW New River
Gorge Ride. Last year, we rode through the historic areas of Pennsylvania and
Maryland and this year we will ride through the mountains and historic areas of
Charleston, West Virginia.
More First Energy Plant Closing
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- Created on Friday, 10 February 2012 07:33
- Last Updated on Friday, 10 February 2012 07:34
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 12
02/08 08:00 FirstEnergy, Citing Impact of Environmental Regulations, Will Retire Three Coal-Fired Power Plants in West Virginia
AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) announced today that its Monongahela Power Company (Mon Power) subsidiary will be retiring three older coal-fired power plants located in West Virginia by September 1, 2012. The decision to close the plants is based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), which were recently finalized, and other environmental regulations.