Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale calls the state’s soon-to-be-signed 2011-2012 budget short sighted and balanced on the backs of working families. The group is decrying cuts in basic education, higher education, and job training.
“In a time when we are trying to build a world class education system and businesses keep talking about the needed for an educated workforce and a trained workforce, this budget goes exactly the opposite direction,” said Bloomingdale, “This budget doesn't create jobs, it destroys jobs.” The AFL-CIO argues that lawmakers should have looked at increasing the size of the budget from the approved $27.15 billion.
Bloomingdale said the first source of additional revenue should have been the nearly $700 million dollars in surplus income generated in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Bloomingdale would like to see the loopholes in the corporate net income tax closed and a tax on shale gas extraction enacted as ways to boost the size of the budget.
Along with the cuts in basic and higher education, Bloomingdale points to cuts at the department of Labor and Industry as being detrimental to the state. “A lot of that money went to help companies… who were trying to get a trained workforce and had special needs. L and I would provide them money to get their workforce trained,” said Bloomingdale. The nearly $6 million line item for training was completely removed from the budget.
AFL-CIO officials say they will hold the lawmakers who voted yes on the budget accountable for their actions. “We’re going to be working over the year to make sure the general public understands what government does, I think too often these folks in Harrisburg can make these cuts because most of the tax payers don’t really understand how government impacts them,” said Bloomingdale.
Showing posts with label unions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unions. Show all posts
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tentative Deals With 2 State Workers' Unions
The Corbett administration is emphasizing what the commonwealth will save if the tentative labor contract agreements with Pennsylvania’s two largest public worker unions are finalized.
The deals are with the Pennsylvania chapters of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union.
Kelly Powers Logan is with the Office of Administration, which led contract negotiations. She says the deals represent the lowest pay increases for union workers in the past decade.
"Where we ended up at the end of the day is a contract that really is a very successful contract and fits within the demands of the governor’s budget."
But when you compare the deal with current labor contracts with those unions, Pennsylvania would save about 114 million dollars, but those savings would end in years three and four of the contract, where there would be a net increase in spending of about 278 million dollars.
Current terms set a one-year wage freeze, and a four percent wage increase over the remaining three years left in the contract.
Logan says the remaining 15 public employee unions will likely follow the lead of AFSCME and SEIU and agree on similar contract terms.
Current contracts end on June 30th.
The deals are with the Pennsylvania chapters of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union.
Kelly Powers Logan is with the Office of Administration, which led contract negotiations. She says the deals represent the lowest pay increases for union workers in the past decade.
"Where we ended up at the end of the day is a contract that really is a very successful contract and fits within the demands of the governor’s budget."
But when you compare the deal with current labor contracts with those unions, Pennsylvania would save about 114 million dollars, but those savings would end in years three and four of the contract, where there would be a net increase in spending of about 278 million dollars.
Current terms set a one-year wage freeze, and a four percent wage increase over the remaining three years left in the contract.
Logan says the remaining 15 public employee unions will likely follow the lead of AFSCME and SEIU and agree on similar contract terms.
Current contracts end on June 30th.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
State May Have Deal With Union
A tentative contract agreement appears to have been reached with the state's largest government union. The deal would cover 45,000 Pennsylvania state employees. It reportedly calls for an initial wage freeze followed by a series of increases over a four-year period.
The Associated Press confirmed the information through three individuals familiar with the deal. All of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
The duration of the wage freeze and the amount of the increases remained unclear
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett had called for a 4% pay cut and other concessions in the negotiations with Council 13 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
The Associated Press confirmed the information through three individuals familiar with the deal. All of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
The duration of the wage freeze and the amount of the increases remained unclear
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett had called for a 4% pay cut and other concessions in the negotiations with Council 13 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tarka Steps Down, Esposito-Visgitis Steps Up
After 43 years with the Pittsburgh Public School District, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers President John Tarka has decided to step down from the post. The move will be official August 31.
“He’s a hard act to follow,” said Union Vice President Nina Esposito-Visgitis. Esposito-Visgitis should know what she is talking about, she will be taking over the presidency when Tarka leaves.
“If it was up to me, John Tarka would never leave,” said Esposito-Visgitis, “He is a valuable leader, he is my role model and he has done so much for he teachers and students of the Pittsburgh Public Schools.”
Tarka began his career as a teacher at Westinghouse High School. He served on the PFT Executive Board for more than thirty years, and he was selected to head the union when longtime PFT President Al Fondy passed away in 2005. He serves as a national AFT Vice President, Executive Vice President of the statewide AFT Pennsylvania, and a Vice President on the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Executive Council.
Esposito-Visgitis was a Speech-Language Pathologist in the district before moving up in the union. She says she looks forward to continuing her push for more support for those with special needs and will also continue to move the “Empowering Effective Teachers” program forward. At the same time she says she will have to deal with the possibility of furloughs as the district’s enrolment shrinks and budgets are cut.
However Esposito-Visgitis is not just looking to be a carbon copy of John Tarka. “I love member involvement so that will be a big continued push for me,” said Esposito-Visgitis, “I also want to focus more on educating our members about the union movement.” Esposito-Visgitis said many of the younger members have never experienced a strike and have lost sight of what the union movement is all about.
“He’s a hard act to follow,” said Union Vice President Nina Esposito-Visgitis. Esposito-Visgitis should know what she is talking about, she will be taking over the presidency when Tarka leaves.
“If it was up to me, John Tarka would never leave,” said Esposito-Visgitis, “He is a valuable leader, he is my role model and he has done so much for he teachers and students of the Pittsburgh Public Schools.”
Tarka began his career as a teacher at Westinghouse High School. He served on the PFT Executive Board for more than thirty years, and he was selected to head the union when longtime PFT President Al Fondy passed away in 2005. He serves as a national AFT Vice President, Executive Vice President of the statewide AFT Pennsylvania, and a Vice President on the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Executive Council.
Esposito-Visgitis was a Speech-Language Pathologist in the district before moving up in the union. She says she looks forward to continuing her push for more support for those with special needs and will also continue to move the “Empowering Effective Teachers” program forward. At the same time she says she will have to deal with the possibility of furloughs as the district’s enrolment shrinks and budgets are cut.
However Esposito-Visgitis is not just looking to be a carbon copy of John Tarka. “I love member involvement so that will be a big continued push for me,” said Esposito-Visgitis, “I also want to focus more on educating our members about the union movement.” Esposito-Visgitis said many of the younger members have never experienced a strike and have lost sight of what the union movement is all about.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Trumka: PA Should Use Surplus on Infrastructrure
Governor Tom Corbett has made it clear he respects public employee unions’ right to collective bargaining. That isn’t enough for the AFL-CIO’s national president, Richard Trumka, who visited Harrisburg Monday afternoon for a fundraiser thrown by House Democrat Bill DeWeese.
The Corbett Administration is in the midst of budget negotiations with 17 public employees unions, and wants state workers to accept four percent pay cuts and furlough days. But, in a departure from the way other Republican governors across the country have treated labor, Corbett has negotiated with unions in good faith, in the weeks before the June 30th deadline for new deals.
Trumka, a western Pennsylvania native, said he isn’t impressed. “It’s a step up, but we still ought to be going in the same direction, to create jobs,” he said. “And we shouldn’t have everything off the table. You shouldn’t sign a pledge before you take office that say you’ll do no revenue enhancers, and then say, we don’t have the money for education, we don’t have the money to job create. That puts the public at a disadvantage.” He later added Corbett and House Republican leaders’ plan to bank $540 million of unexpected tax revenue in a rainy day fund, rather than spend it, “isn’t fair.”
How can a state government create jobs when it’s facing a multi-billion dollar structural deficit? Trumka, taking a page from Governor Rendell’s old playbook, said the answer is, “infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure,” explaining, “It puts people back to work, it makes us more competitive as a nation, and it ultimately makes us more environmentally sound. There’s retrofitting we can do to buildings that exist. We can put hundreds of thousands of people back to work retrofitting and greening buildings up. There’s money to be done with all of that.”
When a reporter floated the suggestion Republicans had won power in Pennsylvania and Washington by campaigning against the very government spending that’s needed for massive infrastructure projects, Trumka disagreed. “What they argued for is that they’re going to do job creation. …And now they’re doing everything but job creation. And that’s why their poll numbers are falling like a large rock in a deep pond.”
Other notable quotes from Trumka’s session with reporters: he said a “right to work” bill in front of the House, which would give public employees the right to opt out of unions, will never become law. Why? “Because we will stop it, and most people understand it’s a foolhardy thing. It results in lower wages for state workers – for everybody, private and public employees. What legislator actually wants to lower wages for people in the state, at a time when they’re struggling to get by?”
And finally, Trumka told the press he was at the DeWeese fundraiser due to “45 years of friendship.” We asked why he thought DeWeese won reelection, despite facing multiple corruption charges for allegedly conducting campaign work with state resources. Trumka chalked it up to years of dedicated service. “You can’t go to a township in his district – which happens to be my home district, by the way – where people haven’t been helped, because of Bill’s efforts,” he said. “He never forgot that. He probably knows that district better than anybody, and he’s probably talked to every constituent in that district at least once. He works hard.”
The Corbett Administration is in the midst of budget negotiations with 17 public employees unions, and wants state workers to accept four percent pay cuts and furlough days. But, in a departure from the way other Republican governors across the country have treated labor, Corbett has negotiated with unions in good faith, in the weeks before the June 30th deadline for new deals.
Trumka, a western Pennsylvania native, said he isn’t impressed. “It’s a step up, but we still ought to be going in the same direction, to create jobs,” he said. “And we shouldn’t have everything off the table. You shouldn’t sign a pledge before you take office that say you’ll do no revenue enhancers, and then say, we don’t have the money for education, we don’t have the money to job create. That puts the public at a disadvantage.” He later added Corbett and House Republican leaders’ plan to bank $540 million of unexpected tax revenue in a rainy day fund, rather than spend it, “isn’t fair.”
How can a state government create jobs when it’s facing a multi-billion dollar structural deficit? Trumka, taking a page from Governor Rendell’s old playbook, said the answer is, “infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure,” explaining, “It puts people back to work, it makes us more competitive as a nation, and it ultimately makes us more environmentally sound. There’s retrofitting we can do to buildings that exist. We can put hundreds of thousands of people back to work retrofitting and greening buildings up. There’s money to be done with all of that.”
When a reporter floated the suggestion Republicans had won power in Pennsylvania and Washington by campaigning against the very government spending that’s needed for massive infrastructure projects, Trumka disagreed. “What they argued for is that they’re going to do job creation. …And now they’re doing everything but job creation. And that’s why their poll numbers are falling like a large rock in a deep pond.”
Other notable quotes from Trumka’s session with reporters: he said a “right to work” bill in front of the House, which would give public employees the right to opt out of unions, will never become law. Why? “Because we will stop it, and most people understand it’s a foolhardy thing. It results in lower wages for state workers – for everybody, private and public employees. What legislator actually wants to lower wages for people in the state, at a time when they’re struggling to get by?”
And finally, Trumka told the press he was at the DeWeese fundraiser due to “45 years of friendship.” We asked why he thought DeWeese won reelection, despite facing multiple corruption charges for allegedly conducting campaign work with state resources. Trumka chalked it up to years of dedicated service. “You can’t go to a township in his district – which happens to be my home district, by the way – where people haven’t been helped, because of Bill’s efforts,” he said. “He never forgot that. He probably knows that district better than anybody, and he’s probably talked to every constituent in that district at least once. He works hard.”
Monday, June 13, 2011
Concessions Asked From State Workers' Unions
Negotiations between the Corbett Administration and 17 unions representing state employees are heating up, with the June 30th deadline for new contracts approaching.
In his March budget address, Corbett pointed out public employees’ salaries have steadily increased over the past few years, despite billion-dollar state deficits and a shrinking private sector. “With that in mind, we will be looking for salary rollbacks and freezes from state employees, as well as asking them to increase their contributions for health care benefits,” he said. Unlike several other Republican governors across the country, Corbett has made it clear he respects public employees’ right to collective bargaining. But in his speech, he added this message to union leaders. “Collective bargaining doesn’t mean some ill-defined middle ground. It means finding a spot where things work. In this case it’s going to have to work for the good of the taxpayer, or it’s not going to work at all.”
The Corbett Administration needs to finalize new contracts with 17 different unions by the end of the month. Dave Fillman, who heads the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, said talks have been “cordial” so far, and that three more meetings have been scheduled, but the heavy lifting hasn’t happened yet. “We still have the 4 percent wage reduction and the 5 rolling furlough days, which was in the original proposal. And we’re hoping we can make some movement in that area. We already offered the one-year wage extension with no increase, but that was rejected.”
AFSCME represents 45,000 state workers. An AP story reported the Corbett Administration is concentrating its efforts on negotiations with Fillman’s union, and hopes to use their eventual deal as a template for contracts with other groups.
In his March budget address, Corbett pointed out public employees’ salaries have steadily increased over the past few years, despite billion-dollar state deficits and a shrinking private sector. “With that in mind, we will be looking for salary rollbacks and freezes from state employees, as well as asking them to increase their contributions for health care benefits,” he said. Unlike several other Republican governors across the country, Corbett has made it clear he respects public employees’ right to collective bargaining. But in his speech, he added this message to union leaders. “Collective bargaining doesn’t mean some ill-defined middle ground. It means finding a spot where things work. In this case it’s going to have to work for the good of the taxpayer, or it’s not going to work at all.”
The Corbett Administration needs to finalize new contracts with 17 different unions by the end of the month. Dave Fillman, who heads the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, said talks have been “cordial” so far, and that three more meetings have been scheduled, but the heavy lifting hasn’t happened yet. “We still have the 4 percent wage reduction and the 5 rolling furlough days, which was in the original proposal. And we’re hoping we can make some movement in that area. We already offered the one-year wage extension with no increase, but that was rejected.”
AFSCME represents 45,000 state workers. An AP story reported the Corbett Administration is concentrating its efforts on negotiations with Fillman’s union, and hopes to use their eventual deal as a template for contracts with other groups.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Another Capitol Rally Against PA Budget Plan
More than a thousand union members from groups including the PSEA, SEIU and AFSME gathered on the Capitol steps to protest Governor Corbett’s $27.3 billion budget today, with much of the anger focused on the more than $1 billion the Republican wants to cut from education spending.
About half of that money, as Corbett likes to point out during public appearances, comes from eliminated federal stimulus dollars.
At the beginning of the rally, AFSME Council 13 Executive Director Dave Fillman warned against the impact of Corbett’s proposed spending reductions. “We don’t want our kids on over-crowded classrooms. We don’t want health care cuts for our seniors. We don’t want huge increases in tuition. And we don’t want to see our property taxes skyrocket,” he said, as the crowd cheered. “A budget with devastating cuts for working families is wrong. A budget without a drilling tax on Marcellus Shale is wrong. A budget that allows tax loopholes for big corporations is wrong.”
Two themes emerged from the protestors I talked to. They’re 1) worried education cuts will lead to local property tax hikes and 2) think lawmakers should enact a natural gas drilling tax and send the proceeds to Pennsylvania’s general fund. Corbett has vowed to veto any tax increase, and the only drilling levy with a politically realistic chance of passing this year is Senator Joe Scarnati’s impact fee, which would send revenue to local governments and environmental efforts.
The union rally came a day after the release of April’s tax revenue figures, which were nine percent better than expectations. The extra income increased the year’s surplus to more than $500 million – way more than the $78 million projected by the Corbett Administration in March. Corbett has repeatedly vowed not to spend a cent more than $27.3 billion. If the surplus stays this large in June, there will be significant pressure from lawmakers to use the extra money to lessen basic and higher education cuts.
About half of that money, as Corbett likes to point out during public appearances, comes from eliminated federal stimulus dollars.
At the beginning of the rally, AFSME Council 13 Executive Director Dave Fillman warned against the impact of Corbett’s proposed spending reductions. “We don’t want our kids on over-crowded classrooms. We don’t want health care cuts for our seniors. We don’t want huge increases in tuition. And we don’t want to see our property taxes skyrocket,” he said, as the crowd cheered. “A budget with devastating cuts for working families is wrong. A budget without a drilling tax on Marcellus Shale is wrong. A budget that allows tax loopholes for big corporations is wrong.”
Two themes emerged from the protestors I talked to. They’re 1) worried education cuts will lead to local property tax hikes and 2) think lawmakers should enact a natural gas drilling tax and send the proceeds to Pennsylvania’s general fund. Corbett has vowed to veto any tax increase, and the only drilling levy with a politically realistic chance of passing this year is Senator Joe Scarnati’s impact fee, which would send revenue to local governments and environmental efforts.
The union rally came a day after the release of April’s tax revenue figures, which were nine percent better than expectations. The extra income increased the year’s surplus to more than $500 million – way more than the $78 million projected by the Corbett Administration in March. Corbett has repeatedly vowed not to spend a cent more than $27.3 billion. If the surplus stays this large in June, there will be significant pressure from lawmakers to use the extra money to lessen basic and higher education cuts.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Workers Rally for Budget Reconsideration at State Capitol
In response to Governor Tom Corbett’s budget proposal, thousands of members of labor and social organizations, and faith-based groups in Pennsylvania converged on the state capitol to rally for reconsideration.
Mackenzie Smith, leader of Unite Here 57, left Pittsburgh with 12 buses carrying nearly 1,000 people to Harrisburg. She says her group believes a rally in the Capitol is the best way to make a stand.
“I think getting out in the streets in addition to voting is the essence of democracy in showing our legislators that we care and that we’re watching the decisions they’re making. It’s the essence of America to get out in the streets and protest and make our voices heard.”
The group also protested at the Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburgh. “We want to send a message to our legislators and to Gov. Corbett that we expect a budget that is fair, where corporations are paying their fair share. We want to eliminate our corporate loopholes which is the real reason we’re having a budget shortfall in the state.”
Saturday, April 30, 2011
No Talks Over Transit Cuts
The president of Local 85 of the Amalgamated Transit Union went before the Port Authority Board to urge them to resume negotiations over contract concessions so that service that was cut by 15% a month ago can be restored.
Pat McMahon says there have been no contract talks since Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato left a meeting 4 weeks ago. During the public comment period at the PAT Board meeting, McMahon told board members they should either resume negotiations or resign.
It was Onorato who rejected an offer of $18.5 million in temporary concessions by the union, not the PAT Board. At the time, Onorato said he became involved because the PAT Board had already made its decision about service cuts. Onorato said the concessions offer did not address the legacy costs of health care and pensions for retired PAT workers.
PAT CEO Steve Bland said at the end of yesterday's board meeting that they gave the union information about health care costs 2 weeks ago, but have not received a reply.
Pat McMahon says there have been no contract talks since Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato left a meeting 4 weeks ago. During the public comment period at the PAT Board meeting, McMahon told board members they should either resume negotiations or resign.
It was Onorato who rejected an offer of $18.5 million in temporary concessions by the union, not the PAT Board. At the time, Onorato said he became involved because the PAT Board had already made its decision about service cuts. Onorato said the concessions offer did not address the legacy costs of health care and pensions for retired PAT workers.
PAT CEO Steve Bland said at the end of yesterday's board meeting that they gave the union information about health care costs 2 weeks ago, but have not received a reply.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Union Reps Honor Workers Memorial Day 2011
One-hundred years ago 146 workers died in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York City. Today in downtown’s Market Square, union leaders joined together to say what it will take to make sure a similar disaster could never happen today.The union representatives gathered at the Workers Memorial and expressed fear that today’s politicians are breaking down the workplace safety standards with consistent attacks on collective bargaining agreements. The unions say they rely on these contracts to achieve certain safety standards in the workplace.
Jack Shea, President of the Allegheny County Labor Council AFL-CIO says the Workers Memorial is a yearly reminder that the fight for workers rights rages on.
“You know every year on this date when we come here we mourn for the dead, fight for the living and we will continue to fight until one day we won’t have to come here anymore,” Shea says.
Frank Snyder, Secretary Treasurer of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO also spoke at the event. He says the number of work-related deaths is more than the common person may realize.
“Think about this: Every day in this country 149 workers lose their lives as a result of their workplaces, 12 will die from injuries and 137 from diseases. Every day,” Snyder says.
According to the AFL-CIO, 166 workeRS in Pennsylvania were killed on the job in 2009.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Protests Against Right to Work Bill
Pennsylvania’s unions are mobilizing against a bill that would end mandatory union dues for public employees.
Teamsters packed the Capitol rotunda to oppose House Republican Daryl Metcalfe’s bill, which would let local and state public employees opt out of union membership. They chanted, “what time is it? Union time!” before the start of the rally, where Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Treasurer Frank Snyder said unions won’t be afraid to spend money on the fight against the bill. “We have our own PAC fund here, and we are no longer going to give a politician $500, a thousand dollars, and then go home and sit on our couch next Wednesday and hope they do the right thing.” He warned. “We are no longer going to do that. We are going to take our money, we are going to get our people out there, we are going to put boots on the ground. We are going to help those who help us.”
Metcalfe says the union opposition proved his point, and that leaders are, “trying to protect their six-figure salaries, trying to keep from being held accountable by their own membership. Because they believe that the only way to be – hold onto their power is to actually have the government be their enforcer.”
Similar bills have been introduced by Metcalfe and others in the past, but have never cleared both the House and Senate. Governor Corbett says he’d sign a right-to-work measure. He’s against stripping public unions of their collective bargaining power, though.
Teamsters packed the Capitol rotunda to oppose House Republican Daryl Metcalfe’s bill, which would let local and state public employees opt out of union membership. They chanted, “what time is it? Union time!” before the start of the rally, where Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Treasurer Frank Snyder said unions won’t be afraid to spend money on the fight against the bill. “We have our own PAC fund here, and we are no longer going to give a politician $500, a thousand dollars, and then go home and sit on our couch next Wednesday and hope they do the right thing.” He warned. “We are no longer going to do that. We are going to take our money, we are going to get our people out there, we are going to put boots on the ground. We are going to help those who help us.”
Metcalfe says the union opposition proved his point, and that leaders are, “trying to protect their six-figure salaries, trying to keep from being held accountable by their own membership. Because they believe that the only way to be – hold onto their power is to actually have the government be their enforcer.”
Similar bills have been introduced by Metcalfe and others in the past, but have never cleared both the House and Senate. Governor Corbett says he’d sign a right-to-work measure. He’s against stripping public unions of their collective bargaining power, though.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Local Labor Leader Honored Via Film
The legacy of the recently deceased Nate Smith, one of the most famous labor and civil rights leaders from Pittsburgh, will live on in the form of a documentary. The film titled, "What Does Trouble Mean? Nate Smith's Revolution," will be shown at the Elsie Hillman Auditorium at the Hill House Thursday, April 7th by Robert Morris University Center for Documentary Production and Study.
Smith died at age 82 on April 1st from Alzheimer's disease, and was well-known in the area for his activism for equal working rights for African Americans and integration of Pittsburgh's construction trade unions in the 1960s and 1970s. Smith led thousands of marchers protesting the lack of inclusion of minorities in the construction of the U.S. Steel Building and Three Rivers Stadium. He is known for lying down in front of a bulldozer to halt construction. Erica Peiffer, who wrote and produced the film with Alexander Wilson, says that she was inspired by Smith from day one.
"Not knowing what I was getting into, I went into the studio and helped with the interview and as I was listening to what Nate Smith was saying in response to the questions I just became really interested in his life."
The project took five years to complete and Peiffer says that her overall goal has a certain target audience.
"I just wanted to inspire other people, especially young people, to be interested in issues, to get involved, and to find something they're really passionate about."
Smith's hour-long documentary viewing will be free and open to the public. A dinner reception will begin at 5:30 and film screening at 6:00. More information about the film can be found at www.NateSmithMovie.com
Smith died at age 82 on April 1st from Alzheimer's disease, and was well-known in the area for his activism for equal working rights for African Americans and integration of Pittsburgh's construction trade unions in the 1960s and 1970s. Smith led thousands of marchers protesting the lack of inclusion of minorities in the construction of the U.S. Steel Building and Three Rivers Stadium. He is known for lying down in front of a bulldozer to halt construction. Erica Peiffer, who wrote and produced the film with Alexander Wilson, says that she was inspired by Smith from day one.
"Not knowing what I was getting into, I went into the studio and helped with the interview and as I was listening to what Nate Smith was saying in response to the questions I just became really interested in his life."
The project took five years to complete and Peiffer says that her overall goal has a certain target audience.
"I just wanted to inspire other people, especially young people, to be interested in issues, to get involved, and to find something they're really passionate about."
Smith's hour-long documentary viewing will be free and open to the public. A dinner reception will begin at 5:30 and film screening at 6:00. More information about the film can be found at www.NateSmithMovie.com
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Union Family Tradition Continues
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.
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.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
More Talks, No Deal
Negotiations have resumed between officials of the transit workers union, the Port Authority and Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato in an attempt to eliminate a $30 million deficit and restore the 15% service cuts that took effect March 27. Patrick McMahon, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85, says they offered $18.6 million in wage concessions a week ago. But Onorato rejected the offer saying it did not address legacy costs for healthcare and pensions. Onorato says PAT and the county both spend $69 million a year on healthcare and the county has more than twice as many active employees as the transit agency. SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, is three and a half time the size of PAT but it spends $8 million on post-retirement healthcare while PAT spends $32 million. McMahon issued a statement following Friday's talks saying he shares Onorato’s concern about finding long-term transit funding solutions to our transit funding problems, especially mitigating the impact of retiree health care costs. McMahon says they found significant areas of agreement but have very different opinions on what's in the best interest of the transit, riders and workers. "We favor an approach that allows us to work on resolving the short-term crisis created by the March 27th cuts with short term solutions while simultaneously and vigorously working toward longer term resolutions that address legacy costs."
Friday, April 1, 2011
Miners Support Union Workers in Wisconsin
Members of the United Mine Workers of America marched and rallied Friday in Greene County on behalf of public employees in other states.
The union says about 4,000 members, their families and other supporters from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia took part in the solidarity march and rally at the Greene County fairgrounds. Union officials touted the event as the first major labor rally in support of workers in Wisconsin and other states where the mine workers claim "public collective bargaining rights are under attack."
Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts warned those in attendance they could be next.
Last month the Republican-controlled Wisconsin legislature approved a bill to limit collective bargaining rights for public employees with the exception of police and firefighters. A Wisconsin judge has blocked implementation of that law while it's being challenged.
In Ohio, Governor John Kasich signed legislation to restrict collective bargaining rights for 350,000 public employees including police and firefighters.
The union says about 4,000 members, their families and other supporters from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia took part in the solidarity march and rally at the Greene County fairgrounds. Union officials touted the event as the first major labor rally in support of workers in Wisconsin and other states where the mine workers claim "public collective bargaining rights are under attack."
Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts warned those in attendance they could be next.
Last month the Republican-controlled Wisconsin legislature approved a bill to limit collective bargaining rights for public employees with the exception of police and firefighters. A Wisconsin judge has blocked implementation of that law while it's being challenged.
In Ohio, Governor John Kasich signed legislation to restrict collective bargaining rights for 350,000 public employees including police and firefighters.
SEIU Rallies For Return of PAT Service
A small group of service industry workers gathered at the Allegheny County Court House today to protest recent bus service cuts. Service Employees International Union local 32-B-J Director Gabe Morgan says his workers are feeling the impact of the cuts and he wants to know what County Executive Dan Onorato is going to do about it. “We endorsed Dan Onorato in the election, we want to meet with him and understand what’s going on. We need buses to get to work, we want to understand why it is always working people who seem to have to suffer in this.”The Port Authority of Allegheny County cut service by 15% Monday and laid off 180 workers. “At some point our leaders need to step up and say we need to stop asking workers to be the one to sacrifice, we need everybody to sacrifice,” says Morgan.
Morgan says some of his members are working two and three jobs and cannot get from one to the other without the buses. “We have people at night who are stranded when they get off of work really late at night who can’t get home, they have to wait till morning,” says Morgan. “Service sector workers in particular are very dependent on public transit.”
The County Executive met with the union members following the rally, saying he agreed with their concerns. He told them he is working hard to find a solution and is meeting with union members, PAT officials and other elected leaders.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
County Council Hears Both PAT and Local 85
Members of the two sides in disagreement over labor negotiations between Port Authority Transit and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 met in Allegheny County Courthouse’s Gold Room Wednesday evening under a special meeting called for by Allegheny Council President Jim Burn.
Burn and his fellow council members asked each representative if they were willing to go back to the negotiating table after heated but closed talks ended on Saturday afternoon. The following day, the Port Authority went through with a 15 percent service cut. Steve Bland, CEO of PAT and Patrick McMahon, union President for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 both agreed in principle to continuing negotiations.
According to reports from both sides, management and the union were close to reaching an agreement after “historic” concessions were made by the union regarding legacy funds and health care for retirees.
County Manager Jim Flynn said a “cooling off” period was necessary and four days between talks is helpful for each side to reset before negotiating again.
Many councilmen questioned the representatives to help educate themselves on where each side stands and to encourage immediate negotiations. Councilmen explained that the lack of state funding has driven the problems that lead to service cuts and further cuts expected in June of 2012. Councilman Michael Finnerty says the blame game between sides is unnecessary when there is a bigger issue.
“When we look at the situation be realistic about it in saying what the problem is, and the state is one of the problems, it’s not just legacy cuts, it’s not just healthcare, it’s dedicated funding, too.”
Bland agreed with Finnerty’s sentiments saying until there is a source of dedicated funding, these meetings will come up every few months as PAT finds itself in financial trouble again.
“We have to move away from these one-day, one-week, one-month, one-year Band-Aids, limp-alongs, bailouts, you-name-it and get to a point where public transportation in Pittsburgh is sustainable on an ongoing basis and frankly where derivative bodies like this one can move onto issues of other significant public policy interests.”
McMahon says negotiations can and will continue, but constant ultimatums from the Port Authority won’t be the fix.
“As far as we are concerned, Local 85, we have never left the negotiating table but we need someone that we can negotiate with,” McMahon says. “Take it or leave it proposals will not get it done, it will get a mutually agreeable solution.”
Burn and his fellow council members asked each representative if they were willing to go back to the negotiating table after heated but closed talks ended on Saturday afternoon. The following day, the Port Authority went through with a 15 percent service cut. Steve Bland, CEO of PAT and Patrick McMahon, union President for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 both agreed in principle to continuing negotiations.
According to reports from both sides, management and the union were close to reaching an agreement after “historic” concessions were made by the union regarding legacy funds and health care for retirees.
County Manager Jim Flynn said a “cooling off” period was necessary and four days between talks is helpful for each side to reset before negotiating again.
Many councilmen questioned the representatives to help educate themselves on where each side stands and to encourage immediate negotiations. Councilmen explained that the lack of state funding has driven the problems that lead to service cuts and further cuts expected in June of 2012. Councilman Michael Finnerty says the blame game between sides is unnecessary when there is a bigger issue.
“When we look at the situation be realistic about it in saying what the problem is, and the state is one of the problems, it’s not just legacy cuts, it’s not just healthcare, it’s dedicated funding, too.”
Bland agreed with Finnerty’s sentiments saying until there is a source of dedicated funding, these meetings will come up every few months as PAT finds itself in financial trouble again.
“We have to move away from these one-day, one-week, one-month, one-year Band-Aids, limp-alongs, bailouts, you-name-it and get to a point where public transportation in Pittsburgh is sustainable on an ongoing basis and frankly where derivative bodies like this one can move onto issues of other significant public policy interests.”
McMahon says negotiations can and will continue, but constant ultimatums from the Port Authority won’t be the fix.
“As far as we are concerned, Local 85, we have never left the negotiating table but we need someone that we can negotiate with,” McMahon says. “Take it or leave it proposals will not get it done, it will get a mutually agreeable solution.”
Monday, March 28, 2011
PAT Riders Deal With Cuts
It's the first work day that commuters are having to deal with 15% service cuts by the Port Authority of Allegheny County. Effective Sunday PAT eliminated 29 routes and reduced operations on 37 others. Last minute efforts to eliminate the cuts or postpone them for a week while negotiations continued on union concessions failed.
Pat McMahon, president of Local 85 of the Amalgamated Transit Workers Union, said the service cuts would likely cause confusion and inconvenience for transit riders.
"The Port Authority workers who are members of ATU Local 85 are reliable, responsible and professional transit employees committed to going above and beyond what is required of them to help the transit riders we serve during this challenging transition resulting from the unnecessary cuts ordered by the Port Authority Board of Directors and Chief Executive Onorato."
County Council President Jim Burn has called a special meeting of Council on Wednesday, March 30 at 5:00 P.M. in the County Courthouse. Burn says PAT CEO Steve Bland and ATU Local 85 President Pat McMahon will be invited to the meeting and it's imperative discussions between management and the union continue in hopes of restoring the eliminated routes.
“At this time I cannot provide any assurance that routes will be restored as a result of this meeting, however, it is apparent that the union and management are at a point where meaningful negotiations can occur. County Council will continue to do our best to help facilitate a resolution to this issue.”
McMahon warned county and PAT officials that the protests will increase...
"If Executives Onorato and Bland and the Port Authority Board of Directors thought the Stop the Cuts campaign has been heated and intense, wait until they get a taste of our Restore the Cuts campaign which begins now."
Information about the transit cuts can be found at the Port Authority's blog
Pat McMahon, president of Local 85 of the Amalgamated Transit Workers Union, said the service cuts would likely cause confusion and inconvenience for transit riders.
"The Port Authority workers who are members of ATU Local 85 are reliable, responsible and professional transit employees committed to going above and beyond what is required of them to help the transit riders we serve during this challenging transition resulting from the unnecessary cuts ordered by the Port Authority Board of Directors and Chief Executive Onorato."
County Council President Jim Burn has called a special meeting of Council on Wednesday, March 30 at 5:00 P.M. in the County Courthouse. Burn says PAT CEO Steve Bland and ATU Local 85 President Pat McMahon will be invited to the meeting and it's imperative discussions between management and the union continue in hopes of restoring the eliminated routes.
“At this time I cannot provide any assurance that routes will be restored as a result of this meeting, however, it is apparent that the union and management are at a point where meaningful negotiations can occur. County Council will continue to do our best to help facilitate a resolution to this issue.”
McMahon warned county and PAT officials that the protests will increase...
"If Executives Onorato and Bland and the Port Authority Board of Directors thought the Stop the Cuts campaign has been heated and intense, wait until they get a taste of our Restore the Cuts campaign which begins now."
Information about the transit cuts can be found at the Port Authority's blog
Saturday, March 26, 2011
PAT Route Cuts Coming Sunday
The Port Authority Board is to meet at 3 o'clock this afternoon, but it won't be to vote on wage concessions offered by the union representing PAT drivers. Pat McMahon, president of local 85 of the Amalgamated Transit Workers Union, says they offered to eliminate a scheduled 3% pay hike, and trim current pay by 10%, a total of $18.6 million in savings. Port Authority CEO Steve Bland called the concessions offer "historic," but County Executive Dan Onorato rejected the offer, demanding health care and pension givebacks as well, plus changes to overtime rules.
The PAT board is to vote this afternoon on a proposal by private bus company, Lenzner, to operate 2 routes from Marshall and Franklin Park in the North Hills to downtown Pittsburgh which are among those to be cut. Starting tomorrow, PAT plans to eliminate 29 bus routes and reduce service on 37 others. 180 workers will be laid off.
The PAT board is to vote this afternoon on a proposal by private bus company, Lenzner, to operate 2 routes from Marshall and Franklin Park in the North Hills to downtown Pittsburgh which are among those to be cut. Starting tomorrow, PAT plans to eliminate 29 bus routes and reduce service on 37 others. 180 workers will be laid off.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Corbett, Union Disagree Over Master's Degrees
Governor Tom Corbett wants to end automatic pay bumps for teachers in Pennsylvania with Master’s Degrees.
The governor also wants to get rid of state subsidies for educators working toward MA's. The changes were announced in Corbett’s budget address, and would reportedly save $200 million a year. Corbett’s budget secretary, Charles Zogby, argued advanced degrees don’t automatically make someone a better teacher. “Not that it might not improve the individual. Not that more learning isn’t a good thing for educators. But I think what we’re looking at is investments that make a difference for kids in the classroom, in terms of their learning,” he said.
Corbett is also urging public school employees to take a one-year pay freeze. The Pennsylvania State Education Association is urging union members to “seriously consider” the freeze, but doesn’t like ending salary bumps for MA's. Spokesman Wythe Keever said “teachers should be rewarded…for continued learning,” adding, “This whole notion that we try to encourage students to continue their learning. But it seems kind of out of place to say to teachers, you shouldn’t continue your learning.”
The governor also wants to get rid of state subsidies for educators working toward MA's. The changes were announced in Corbett’s budget address, and would reportedly save $200 million a year. Corbett’s budget secretary, Charles Zogby, argued advanced degrees don’t automatically make someone a better teacher. “Not that it might not improve the individual. Not that more learning isn’t a good thing for educators. But I think what we’re looking at is investments that make a difference for kids in the classroom, in terms of their learning,” he said.
Corbett is also urging public school employees to take a one-year pay freeze. The Pennsylvania State Education Association is urging union members to “seriously consider” the freeze, but doesn’t like ending salary bumps for MA's. Spokesman Wythe Keever said “teachers should be rewarded…for continued learning,” adding, “This whole notion that we try to encourage students to continue their learning. But it seems kind of out of place to say to teachers, you shouldn’t continue your learning.”
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