There are many different types of family traditions. The Elk family from Forest Hills has a tradition of union activity.
The story begins at the start of the 20th century with an immigrant to New York City who became involved with the labor movement in the textile industry. His son, grandson and now great grandson, have kept a tradition of activism going for more than 100 years. Gene Elk has been a union organizer for more than 30 years and his son Mike is a noted labor journalist who has appears on CNN, Fox News, and NPR.
Listen to a longer version of the story here.
Showing posts with label Labor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Labor. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
1 in 7 PA Workers Belongs to a Union
Union membership is shrinking in Pennsylvania and across the country. A report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that in 2010, the number of workers in Pennsylvania who belong to a union was 770,000 representing 14.7% of wage and salary employees. That's down from 15% in 2009.
The bureau's regional economist Kara Markley says the decline in Pennsylvania's union members hip rate is similar to the national rate which fell from12.3% in 2009 to 11.9% last year.
According to the bureau, in 1989, the first year for which state union data was available, the rate peaked at 20.9% in Pennsylvania and has been steadily dropping since. Markley says that half of the union members in the United States is concentrated in 6 states..."Those 6 states are California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Jersey. However, the 6 states only accounted for one third of the wage and salary employment.
The state with the highest union percentage among workers is New York at 24.2% and North Carolina has the smallest rate...3.2%.
The bureau's regional economist Kara Markley says the decline in Pennsylvania's union members hip rate is similar to the national rate which fell from12.3% in 2009 to 11.9% last year.
According to the bureau, in 1989, the first year for which state union data was available, the rate peaked at 20.9% in Pennsylvania and has been steadily dropping since. Markley says that half of the union members in the United States is concentrated in 6 states..."Those 6 states are California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Jersey. However, the 6 states only accounted for one third of the wage and salary employment.
The state with the highest union percentage among workers is New York at 24.2% and North Carolina has the smallest rate...3.2%.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
PA Workers Rally to Support Wisconsin Colleagues
Protesters turned out Saturday at state capitals, including Harrisburg, and other cities across the nation to support teachers and other public workers holding steady at the Wisconsin capitol in their fight against legislation aimed at stripping most of their collective bargaining rights. The protest in Madison is now 12 days old and it attracted more than 70,000 people Saturday, the largest crowd yet.
Hundreds of people including auto workers, teachers, electricians, postal workers and railroad workers gathered at Pennsylvania's state capital. They chanted and carried signs. Michael Morrill of the organizing group Keystone Progress said they wanted to "stand in solidarity with Wisconsin workers and American families everywhere." Morrill said they also hoped to deter Governor Tom Corbett from any such effort in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, several dozen people across the street sounded whistles and bullhorns in a counter protest.
Hundreds of people including auto workers, teachers, electricians, postal workers and railroad workers gathered at Pennsylvania's state capital. They chanted and carried signs. Michael Morrill of the organizing group Keystone Progress said they wanted to "stand in solidarity with Wisconsin workers and American families everywhere." Morrill said they also hoped to deter Governor Tom Corbett from any such effort in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, several dozen people across the street sounded whistles and bullhorns in a counter protest.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Council Sends Support to Wisconsin
Pittsburgh City Council has taken up the cause of the mass of protesting union members in Wisconsin. Council passed a resolution this morning proclaiming today, “Service Workers Day” in Pittsburgh. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has proposed legislation that would eliminate collective bargaining rights for state workers for any benefits other than base pay. It would also prevent state and local governments from automatically collecting union dues.
Resolution sponsor Natalia Rudiak says the governor is stripping the workers of their fundamental rights and in the process he is shattering the middle class. “It is a bridge too far, it is a reactionary agenda that will endanger the livelihoods of thousands of working Americans and it must be stopped before this type of thinking endangers the livelihood of millions,” says Rudiak. The resolution praises union workers in the city and recognizes their work in keeping the city and the region running.
“Workers rights are not a budget line item,” says Council Member Bruce Kraus, “you cannot just wipe away with the stroke of a pen decades and decades of work that has stabilized a middle class.” Kraus says the middle class is essential to the health and wellbeing of the nation.
In a news conference before Council’s meeting, Allegheny County Labor Council President Jack Shea jumped onto the same theme, saying this is not just an issue of concern to union members; it is an issue of concern for all workers. “Everybody knows when unions are able to bargain a fair and a decent contract and conditions of employment, it gets passed on to the non-union workforce,” says Shea.
Last week, Democrats in Wisconsin's state Senate walked out rather than vote on the bill. They fled to Illinois and other boarding states to keep from being forced back into the chamber. “We support your heroic effort to protect the futures of so many working families,” says Rudiak, “we know that you cannot go home so if you need a gathering place in your struggle to protect workers rights you are welcome to come to Pittsburgh.”
Resolution sponsor Natalia Rudiak says the governor is stripping the workers of their fundamental rights and in the process he is shattering the middle class. “It is a bridge too far, it is a reactionary agenda that will endanger the livelihoods of thousands of working Americans and it must be stopped before this type of thinking endangers the livelihood of millions,” says Rudiak. The resolution praises union workers in the city and recognizes their work in keeping the city and the region running.
“Workers rights are not a budget line item,” says Council Member Bruce Kraus, “you cannot just wipe away with the stroke of a pen decades and decades of work that has stabilized a middle class.” Kraus says the middle class is essential to the health and wellbeing of the nation.
In a news conference before Council’s meeting, Allegheny County Labor Council President Jack Shea jumped onto the same theme, saying this is not just an issue of concern to union members; it is an issue of concern for all workers. “Everybody knows when unions are able to bargain a fair and a decent contract and conditions of employment, it gets passed on to the non-union workforce,” says Shea.
Last week, Democrats in Wisconsin's state Senate walked out rather than vote on the bill. They fled to Illinois and other boarding states to keep from being forced back into the chamber. “We support your heroic effort to protect the futures of so many working families,” says Rudiak, “we know that you cannot go home so if you need a gathering place in your struggle to protect workers rights you are welcome to come to Pittsburgh.”
Friday, January 14, 2011
What's Next in Moon Area School District?
Now that the Moon Area School Board has rejected the third party arbitrator's proposal for a new contract, the teachers might go on strike for the second time this school year. The teachers struck from November 8 to 29th but then inn a non-traditional move, the two sides brought in Mark Winters as a neutral third party to try to resolve the dispute rather than going to a state-appointed arbitrator.
Butch Santicola, spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, says a second strike is an option, but not their only option.
"We are extremely disappointed and upset that the board rejected this arbitration decision. They requested a third party, the third party came in, listened to all the evidence, and it was rejected. We were actually not ready for that. We thought the board would readily embrace this decision, but they did not, and now we have to evaluate where we go next."
Although the union wants to completely renegotiate, John Cambest, solicitor for the Moon Area School District says that they can use the arbitrator's proposal as a draft.
"We never try to start from scratch. We've obviously arrived at certain points during the negotiation process as part of our agreement to enter into the voluntary non binding arbitration. We did agree that if we involve ourselves in any future dispute resolution procedures that we can use Mr. Winter's recommendation as an option."
The two parties did agree on having 15 minutes added on to the end of the school day. Santicola says that the teachers want to use that time for tutoring, parent conferences, and planning. Cambest says that they want to use that additional time for professional development for the employees.
Cambest notes that along with that issue, teachers' salaries and health care contributions are still the major points that need to be resolved.
Cambest says that they have asked the union to submit some new dates so that they can begin negotiating again, and Santicola says they need help from the community to put pressure on the school board.
Butch Santicola, spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, says a second strike is an option, but not their only option.
"We are extremely disappointed and upset that the board rejected this arbitration decision. They requested a third party, the third party came in, listened to all the evidence, and it was rejected. We were actually not ready for that. We thought the board would readily embrace this decision, but they did not, and now we have to evaluate where we go next."
Although the union wants to completely renegotiate, John Cambest, solicitor for the Moon Area School District says that they can use the arbitrator's proposal as a draft.
"We never try to start from scratch. We've obviously arrived at certain points during the negotiation process as part of our agreement to enter into the voluntary non binding arbitration. We did agree that if we involve ourselves in any future dispute resolution procedures that we can use Mr. Winter's recommendation as an option."
The two parties did agree on having 15 minutes added on to the end of the school day. Santicola says that the teachers want to use that time for tutoring, parent conferences, and planning. Cambest says that they want to use that additional time for professional development for the employees.
Cambest notes that along with that issue, teachers' salaries and health care contributions are still the major points that need to be resolved.
Cambest says that they have asked the union to submit some new dates so that they can begin negotiating again, and Santicola says they need help from the community to put pressure on the school board.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Classes Resume in Allegheny Valley
94 teachers in the Allegheny Valley School District ended their 20 day strike and returned to the classrooms today. Under state law, the teachers had to go back to work today in order for the students to get the minimum 180 class days by June 15, 2011. The old contract expired June 30 of this year. District supervisors have been teaching seniors the last 10 days so they can graduate on time.
Now the school district and the teachers union enter into nonbinding arbitration and teachers cannot resume their strike during that period that could last 40 days. Union spokesman Butch Santicola of the Pennsylvania State Education Association says that could help....
"The positives are the inclusion of outside people to evaluate the situation. It's a positive but also a gamble because you don't know what the third party is going to determine."
Unless the nonbinding arbitration results in a contract, the teachers could strike again.
Now the school district and the teachers union enter into nonbinding arbitration and teachers cannot resume their strike during that period that could last 40 days. Union spokesman Butch Santicola of the Pennsylvania State Education Association says that could help....
"The positives are the inclusion of outside people to evaluate the situation. It's a positive but also a gamble because you don't know what the third party is going to determine."
Unless the nonbinding arbitration results in a contract, the teachers could strike again.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Blue Green
As part of a nationwide “Blue Green Alliance” tour, a bus full of union members and environmentalists stopped at the United Steel Workers building this morning to urge Senate action on comprehensive clean energy and climate change legislation they say could create up to 78,000 jobs in Pennsylvania alone
Fred Redmond, Vice President of United Steel Workers International says countries like China are taking the lead in green energy and in the new jobs created, yet the Senate went on vacation without passing the comprehensive climate change legislation necessary to jump start the clean energy economy. The House passed a comprehensive bill last year; Redmond is calling on the Senate to take action now so that the green energy jobs created will be good American union jobs.
Redmond says it is estimated the legislation will create over 1.9 million jobs and whole new industries, while making the United States the global leader in green energy technology.
Tom Hoffman of Clean Water Action says “The Job’s Not Done” bus tour calling for clean energy legislation reflects Americans’ needs for a healthy environment and jobs for everyone.
Leon Weeks, a United Steel Workers local vice president from Michigan says jobs will only be saved and created if climate change legislation passes, making green energy competitive. He urges everyone to let senators know it’s important to take action.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Local Union Rallies for Clean Coal
The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 154, who build and maintain coal-fired power plants, held a rally during morning rush hour near their offices on Banksville Road to raise awareness for clean coal technology.
President Barack Obama called for "rapid commercial development and deployment of clean coal technologies" in a presidential memorandum on February 3, 2010, and the Department of Energy is investing billions to study and implement such technologies. Earlier this month, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu awarded $1 Billion for the world's first coal-fueled, near-zero emissions power plant to be built in Illinois.
But Raymond Ventrone, the Boilermakers' business manager, says although organized labor put the Obama administration into office, Vice President Joe Biden failed to mention coal at the National Building Trades Conference in April, which made Ventrone question the administration's commitment to coal, which he says is so important in Pennsylvania.
Ventrone says almost 1,000 members at this morning's rally got their message out, but if they don't get the reaction they're looking for, they'll take their concerns to Washington.
President Barack Obama called for "rapid commercial development and deployment of clean coal technologies" in a presidential memorandum on February 3, 2010, and the Department of Energy is investing billions to study and implement such technologies. Earlier this month, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu awarded $1 Billion for the world's first coal-fueled, near-zero emissions power plant to be built in Illinois.
But Raymond Ventrone, the Boilermakers' business manager, says although organized labor put the Obama administration into office, Vice President Joe Biden failed to mention coal at the National Building Trades Conference in April, which made Ventrone question the administration's commitment to coal, which he says is so important in Pennsylvania.
Ventrone says almost 1,000 members at this morning's rally got their message out, but if they don't get the reaction they're looking for, they'll take their concerns to Washington.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)