Rich Capone is Council Director of AFSCME District Council 84 in Pittsburgh. "The Employee Free Choice Act is critical to the labor movement," he says. Rich points out that in this country, no one bothers you if you want to join any other organization, as long as you meet the criteria, pay your dues, etc. But, he says, history has shown that there are reprisals against those who want to join a union, with many people losing their jobs because they attempt to join a union.
Unions negotiate fair wages and health care, Rich explains, and prioritize securing a living wage for all members. Rich emphasizes that many employers pay their employees well and treat them with respect. But not all - and for those workers, the option to unionize must be a guaranteed, protected right. "People should have the right to join a union," he says.
It's important to recognize the Pittsburgh workers who made the G20 meetings and the Labor Summit possible. Without their services - cooking, driving, serving, cleaning, directing, transporting, etc., etc. - such meetings and conventions would not be possible.
Patrice Brewer is one of those workers. A Unite HERE! member who works at the Sheraton in Pittsburgh, she was pleased to see so many different people and groups coming together and collaborate for the G20, but she also hopes that the sacrifices made by Pittsburgh's working people will result in some benefit to them.
"I've seen a lot of sacrifice," Patrice says, "and I know the city has spent a lot of money... on having this here. And a lot of people have been out of work in lieu of this, it's mandatory that you have to take time off, and people don't really have the money to do that. So I hope there's a benefit of some sort."
Patrice also expressed her hope that the unions, together, can stand up for all working people and make sure that our government doesn't just bail out the banks on Wall Street, but also bails out the common working people. She sees how many of her coworkers and neighbors in Pittsburgh need a more just and fair economic system.
Watch Patrice talk about the G20 and Pittsburgh here:
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the OECD held a press conference this morning in Pittsburgh to call on G20 leaders to invest in the future of working people around the world by creating jobs.On the second day of their international labor summit, representatives of the global labor movement announced the release of the “Pittsburgh Declaration,” the statement from the global trade union movement to the G20 Summit of world leaders.
TUAC President John Sweeney and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka joined ITUC President Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder, and the President of Brazil’s union federation Central Unica dos Trabalhadores, Artur Henrique Da Silva Santos, in making the call for a global solution to the economic crisis that centers on job creation.
President Trumka highlighted the immense chasm in wealth between corporate executives – many of whom ran the economy into the ground in their no-holds-barred pursuit of profit – and those who work for them.
“In corporate America this year, the top executives of many companies earned more the first day of January than their workers will earn in total for the year come December 31st,” Trumka said.“Greed and corporate irresponsibility have run amuck and must be addressed in a forceful way by the G20 leaders meeting here this week.”
As President Sweeney pointed out, those executives may believe the recession is over, and some economists may claim that the economy is beginning to recover, but that does not mean that the reality for millions of people around the world is improving.
“As we gather today, some economists are proclaiming the recession has bottomed-out and recovery has begun.I am here to tell you,” said Sweeney, “that the 60 million workers throughout the world who joined the ranks of the unemployed this year didn’t get that memo.”
President Sweeney explained that, in order to make sure that the economy’s recovery translates into real improvements in the lives of the vast majority of the world’s population, “we are calling on world leaders not to abandon the stimulus policies that have offered rays of hope in favor of the dim light of a jobless recovery.”
President Trumka elaborated: “The AFL-CIO joins the ITUC and the TUAC in calling on the world’s governments to pursue an internationally-coordinated public investment strategy focused on creating jobs.This G20 Summit must be nothing less than a Jobs Summit seeking solutions to our international job crisis through fundamental economic reforms.”Building on his comments at last night’s Clean Energy Jobs rally, Trumka stressed the importance of a Green Jobs economy – ensuring that G20 leaders lead the way in creating jobs that will restore, not damage our planet, and that those jobs are good jobs that can support healthy families.
The challenges facing the world’s workers are numerous.But, as President Sweeney said in closing, ‘Workers in American and workers throughout the world will rise to meet these challenges.The question for us in Pittsburgh this week is, “Will our leaders do the same?”’
As the G20 Summit began, the Alliance for Climate Protection’s Repower America campaign, the United Steelworkers and the Blue Green Alliance held a Clean Energy Jobs rally in Pittsburgh last night to remind G20 leaders that transitioning to a clean energy economy will create jobs while reducing harmful carbon pollution and breaking our dependence on foreign oil.
The event featured a variety of speakers, including AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, USW President Leo Gerard, Governor Ed Rendell, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, and other business, faith, environmental and labor leaders. Between speeches, the thousands of people in the crowd enjoyed live music from a variety of musical groups.
“We can create millions of jobs building the clean energy economy – whether it’s manufacturing the parts for windmills, building hybrid car batteries or weatherizing homes to make them more efficient,” said David Foster, Executive Director of the Blue Green Alliance. “By transitioning to a clean energy economy, we can revitalize America’s manufacturing sector and boost our economy for the long run — by creating jobs here at home.”
According to the Center for American Progress, transitioning to a clean energy economy will create more than 70,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. A recent report by the Blue Green Alliance showed that Pennsylvania stands to gain more than 42,000 manufacturing jobs in wind, solar, geothermal and biomass by instituting a renewable electricity standard.
“Building a clean energy economy can revitalize American manufacturing, but only if we commit to using domestically produced components,” said United Steelworkers International President Leo W. Gerard. “In confronting the challenges of recession, global warming and energy independence, we have an opportunity to transform our economy and create good jobs that truly are Made in America.”
Ken Nagel, a Navy Veteran and journeyman wireman with Pittsburgh IBEW Local 5, also spoke at the rally. He explained to the crowd how green jobs are good for veterans like himself. Hear more from Ken here:
Hear from other local union members in attendance:
This Tuesday, hundreds of union members and working Pennsylvanians came together outside the Philadelphia City Hall to demand that insurance companies stop getting between Americans and our doctors and denying us the health care we need. Led by Arlene Holt Baker, AFL-CIO Executive Vice-President, Wendell Potter, former Cigna Executive and leading critic of health insurance company practices, Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, President-Elect of the National Physicians Alliance, and Stacie Ritter, a Pennsylvanian who has suffered at the hands of Cigna Insurance, the hundreds in attendance rallied for health insurance reform NOW. And they demanded that reform includes the option of a public health insurance plan, so that no one is denied the care he or she needs.
The message was clear: Insurance companies have failed to care for us. They profit from denying us care. A public health insurance option is the only way to guarantee that Americans are able to get the care they need. Without a public option, the insurance companies will win big – and we, the public, will lose.
Insurance companies make enormous profits off of denying care to sick Americans who they supposedly insure. Right now, eighty percent of people declaring medical bankruptcy each year have insurance – but their health insurance companies deny them the care they need, leaving them to pay out of pocket until they go bankrupt. In addition, insurance companies have doubled average premiums in Pennsylvania since 2000, pushing health care further out of reach for working Pennsylvanians. We need a public health insurance plan option now.
Hear from local union members who came to show their support for health care:
David Gaillard, President, Boilermakers Local 19
Cathy Scott, AFSCME District COuncil 47
Fred Chamberlain, Secretary-Treasurer, Boilermakers Local 19
Edward Williams, President, AFSCME Retired Chapter 2, Council 33
The 26th AFL-CIO Convention concluded today, wrapping up nearly a week of inspiring speakers, great resolutions, and a fantastic new slate of officers. The most exciting news today is the reaffiliation of Unite HERE! with the National AFL-CIO. Welcome back to our brothers and sisters in Unite HERE! We're thrilled to have you back, and hope that this signals just the beginning of a national reunification of the labor movement!
Pennsylvania Unite HERE members are as thrilled as the Convention delegates were about their reunification. Sue and Michelle, Unite HERE! Local 57 members from Pittsburgh, are very happy to be back with all their union brothers and sisters. Hear more:
Michael Fox, Director of AFSCME District Council 89, recalls the predictions of doom when the Federation split four years ago, and is glad to see the great resurgance of our labor movement that proves the doomsayers wrong. Listen to his insights here:
Father O'Malley, Labor Chaplain for the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, attended and spoke at the Convention. Listen to him explain the strong ties between the Catholic tradition, social and economic justice, and labor unions:
And in case you thought the Convention was all work and no play, you can check out some footage from last night's batting practice at PNC Park.
The fourth day of the Convention proved historic, with the election of our new officers: President Rich Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler, and Vice-President Arlene Holt Baker. We congratulate Rich, Liz and Arlene, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for the labor movement and working Americans!
Today also saw passage of numerous resolutions, many of which demonstrated the commitment of our labor movement to inclusion, fairness, justice and diversity. Find the full listing here:
"This has been a fantastic Convention," says President George. He remains excited about the support for the Employee Free Choice Act and health care reform by President Obama, Senator specter, and "our own Senator Bob Casey." Listen to him talk about the speeches of our elected officials here:
Kimberly Devanzo, AFSCME
Kimberly, a member of AFSCME Council 13, is also still excited by President Obama's speech yesterday, one of the high points of the Convention for her. Listen to her talk about how Obama energized every delegate in the room, and how glad she is to hear he's behind health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act:
John DeFazio, USW
John, the USW Director for Pennsylvania, was glad to hear President Obama pledge his support for healthcare and Employee Free Choice, too. And he realizes that Obama is only one person, and needs us to back him in the fight for health care and labor law reform - because he can't do it alone. Hear more here:
The indisputable highlight of Day 3 of the Convention was President Obama's visit, which he opened with a warm greeting: "There's nothing like being back in the house of Labor!" The President gave an energizing speech in which he committed to achieving the major goals of the labor movement: restore the economy, pass the Employee Free Choice Act, and pass health care reform. Convention attendees responded with clapping, cheering, and countless standing ovations.
Earlier in the day, Senator Specter spoke to the Convention, reiterating his strong support for the Employee Free Choice Act and health care reform with a strong public option, earning him thunderous applause.
For Barbara Barnes, retired Sprinklerfitters Local 542 member and current Vice President of PA Coalition of Labor Union Women, hearing Obama speak was the highlight of the day. Barbara worked hard campaigning for Obama last fall, and she was touched by his recognition in his speech of the struggles of working people in the Ohio Valley. Listen to her talk about why this mattered to her personally:
Jenn Jannon, Pennsylvania Director of AFL-CIO Affiliate Working America, reflected on President Sweeney's many contributions to the labor movement. She especially appreciated his determination to make union leadership better reflect the demographics of the country's workers, and was excited to hear the attention to the needs of young workers at this Convention. Hear more here:
The AFL-CIO Convention is off to a great start! We've heard from a great variety of union leaders, government officials, and dignitaries, including Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Senator Bob Casey, Congresswoman Judy Chu, and Caroline Kennedy, niece of the late Senator Ted Kennedy. We encourage you to check out the official convention website, http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/thisistheaflcio/convention/2009/, for all the latest Convention news and happenings.
Below we bring you the voices of some of our local Pennsylvania union members who are in attendance, so that you can hear their stories.
Ken Klinkel, President, UAW Local 1193
Ken, President of UAW Local 1193, has seen personally why we need the Employee Free Choice Act, a hot topic at this year's AFL-CIO Convention. Hear him talk about the importance of labor law reform here:
Lindsay Patterson
Lindsay, President of USW Local 404, was one of a group of union activists honored for being a Political Hero, a recognition of all his hard work during the Labor 2008 campaign. Lindsay was thrilled to be at the Convention, and even more thrilled with the election of President Obama. Listen to him talk about it here:
Capitalism: A Love Story
Michael Moore premiered his latest film, "Capitalism: A Love Story," in the U.S. for the first time at our convention here in Pittsburgh, after leading an energetic health care reform march of Convention attendees.
The film, which received a rousing standing ovation received tonight, will open in theaters across the U.S. on October 2. Listen to Michael Moore introduce his film here:
Vice President Joe Biden kicked off the 25th annual Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade on Monday, celebrating the contributions of Pennsylvania’s working men and women to our communities and nation. The Vice President expressed his support for workers, unions, and the Employee Free Choice Act.
"In order to rebuild the middle class, you have to rebuild labor, organized labor, unions. You built the middle class,” he said. "I'm a man who's with organized labor. I'm a vice president who will not let you down on all the matters we said we were going to do. You are, you are the backbone of this country."
An estimated 70,000 people – union members and their families – marched in the parade. The breadth of workers demonstrated the truth in Biden’s statement. From Firefighters to Steelworkers, Electrical Workers to Letter Carriers, those marching in the parade illustrated that union members are the community. And we want to make sure that all members of our communities have their basic needs met, which includes a voice at work and health care.
Jack Shea, President of the Allegheny County Labor Council, underscored the particular importance of Labor Day this year. “This year means more than a parade. We are in trouble, the middle class. We have 15 million people laid off,” he says. “The majority of the people in this country want health care reform, and the majority of people who want to join a union want Employee Free Choice. And I hope President Obama gets into the mode he was in when he was campaigning, and gives it to them.” But we can’t just leave it up to President Obama, Jack pointed out. “I’m very happy that we’re here today, but we have a lot of work to do this year and next year. Let’s all continue to work together, and we will succeed.”
Philadelphia Jobs with Justice hosted an educational event for community members and faith leaders Thursday, February 19, on the Employee Free Choice Act.
(Photo Credits: Frank Snyder)
