PA AFL CIO UPDATE Feb 2012

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 .


Unemployment Compensation Fraud Bill Begins Moving in State House

On Monday, February 13, the House Labor and Industry Committee voted unanimously on House Bill 1852, which was introduced by Representative Seth Grove (R – York). The bill raises penalties for fraudulent acts pertaining to Unemployment Compensation.

Currently, HB 1852 primarily addresses the penalties to employees for committing fraud to receive any or additional unemployment compensation.  An amendment is being drafted, which is expected to be unanimously approved by the House, which will address the penalties for fraud committed by employers.

The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO is working with Rep. Grove, and both Committee Chairmen, to ensure that a fair and responsible version of HB 1852 is passed by the State House.

House Adopts Amendments to P3 Transportation Bill Protecting Workers

Thanks to yet another decisive grassroots effort by Pennsylvania’s rank-and-file union members, House Bill 3, a bill that promotes public-private partnerships for transportation funding (P3), includes job protections for workers, Prevailing Wage, and “Use Pennsylvania Products” provisions. The House, when it returns to session on March 12, is expected to vote on final passage of HB 3.

Organized Labor has fought long and hard to ensure that public and private sector workers are protected should HB 3 be passed into law.  Additionally, an amendment which seeks to give preferential treatment to Pennsylvania and American goods and businesses was also passed.  These amendments were introduced by State Rep. Mike Carroll (D, Luzerne), State Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R, Bucks) and State Rep. Steve Santarsiero (D, Bucks). 

Rep. Carroll’s amendment will ensure employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and are affected by a public-private transportation partnership, will be reassigned without loss of seniority to another “equal to, but not less than” position within the same worksite.

Rep. DiGirolamo’s amendment provides that provisions of the Separations Act and the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act will apply to a public-private partnership agreement entered into between a proprietary public entity and a development entity.

Rep. Steve Santarsiero’s amendment requires P3 agreements to give priority to: using American-made construction materials and Pennsylvania-made steel; businesses located in the U.S.A. and PA; and to businesses who will locate their jobs to PA.  Incredibly, 86 State Representatives voted against this amendment.

Deadlines for Candidate Nomination Petitions Ended This Week.

Two important deadlines for candidates to file nomination petitions for the April 24, 2012 primary election occurred this week.

Tuesday, February 14, was the deadline for filing nominating petitions for candidates for president of the United States, U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, attorney general, auditor general, treasurer, and delegate to the Democratic or Republican conventions. You can view the unofficial list of these candidates on the Dept. of State’s website.

Thursday, February 16, was the deadline to file petitions for senator and representative in Pennsylvania’s General Assembly. The deadline was extended due to the state Supreme Court's recent order regarding redistricting. The unofficial list of these candidates will soon be on the Department’s website.

The deadline to file objections to the above mentioned petitions are one week after the nomination deadline (Feb. 21 and Feb. 23, respectively).
 
Please notify Frank Snyder, Secretary-Treasurer and COPE Director of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, if you are aware of union members running in the April 24 Primary Election.



Win A Harley!

Imagine yourself cruising across the state on a brand new Harley Davidson 2012 Fat Boy Lo! The PA AFL-CIO is now selling raffle tickets for one of these amazing bikes – American Made, Pennsylvania Made, Union Made, by our brothers and sisters at IAM AW Local 175.

Tickets are $30/each. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold! The winner will be based on the winning PA Lottery evening Daily Number on March 28, 2012. The lucky winner will be announced at our Constitutional Convention on March 28th in Philadelphia, where the bike will be displayed.

All proceeds benefit the PA AFL-CIO Committee On Political Education (COPE). Download an order form here and visit our website for complete rules.


Sisters and Brothers Come Together In Erie To Help Seniors

Saturday, January 28, brought a dusting of snow, and a load of help to the Second Harvest Food Bank in Erie. 60 volunteers packed 1152 boxes for CFSP, a program which provides monthly food for senior citizens.

The Second Harvest Food Bank in Erie services 11 counties throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania.  When they moved to their new location 4 years ago, over 4 million dollars in renovations were done using Union Labor.  Director Karen Seggi told us during a tour of the facility, “While I can’t solve poverty, I can do my part to make sure that anyone working on our facility receives a fair wage and benefits.”

Officers of the Erie-Crawford Central Labor Council, and members of CWA 58028, UFCW 23, IBEW 1637, Roofers 210, LIUINA 603, IBEW 3rd District Staff, SEIU 668, AFSCME District Council 85, AFT 1589, SEIU NCFO District 3/Unit 22, USW 3199 (Labor Liaison to the United Way), Carpenters Local 81, and several of their family members were there helping on what the Volunteer Coordinator told us was a record setting day. 

“A Day Of Community Services” in Erie is being planned for Saturday May 19. Volunteers will head to the Food Bank again that day, followed by the Erie CLC 46th annual Community Services dinner that evening.  If you have any questions on the dinner, or would like to volunteer, please contact the Erie Labor Council President, Joshua Atkinson, at 814-440-0229.