Janice Bellace, a Professor at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania means business when it comes to passing the Employee Free Choice Act. She continues to be a compelling advocate for the Employee Free Choice Act. "The recovery of the American economy is dependent on the quality of life that America's workers are afforded and the Employee Free Choice Act is the surest way to ensure working families earn their fair share for their hard work," according to Professor Bellace
Professor Ballace hosted a 'Round Table' discussion at the Wharton School of Business which brought supporters of the Employee Free Choice Act from the religious, small business and labor communities together. At a recent 'Round Table' discussion in Bucks County she offered a unique perspective, "The Employee Free Choice Act gives the choice back to those who deserve it - employees. If they want an election, they get it. If they are satisfied to choose a representative by signing a card, then that's their choice. Our faith in democracy rests on our trust in ordinary people being able to say what their choice is. In the coming weeks the spotlight will be on Senator Specter to see whose choice he supports."
The Communications Workers of America continue to keep the pressure on Pennsylvania's elected officials and will not stop until substantial labor law reform is achieved; reform that will restore workers' rights and get America's economy back on track. CWA's engagement in the Employee Free Choice Act Campaign can be seen and heard all across the state. Some highlights of their activity include: their instrumental role in the delivery of hand-written letters to all seven of Senator Specter's Congressional offices during the April recess, hanging hand-written banners over interstates urging Senator Specter to support the Employee Free Choice Act as part of their 'Adopt an Overpass' campaign, displaying lawn-placards throughout Philadelphia neighborhoods advocating for the Employee Free Choice Act, leaders and members penned letters to the editor that were published across the state, and they are active participants and attendees at various community round-tables throughout the state.
One of the faces of the Employee Free Choice Act is Pennsylvania's own John Pezzana a member of CWA. "It shouldn't be this difficult to join a union. The Employee Free Choice Act would eliminate harassment, coercion and intimidation from employers," says John Pezzana. Mr. Pezzana experienced first-hand the need for labor law reform as presently the employer holds all the power when workers try to organize for a voice on the job. At a rally for the Employee Free Choice Act in Philadelphia, District 13 Vice-President, Ed Mooney proclaimed that, "with the Employee Free Choice Act workers will be able to change their lives with the stroke of a pen and will no longer be subject to fear and intimidation in the workplace for trying to earn their fair share."
Each and every day, first responders - fire fighters, teachers, letter
carriers - serve our communities; caring for us and keeping us safe.
Today in Scranton, members from the fire fighters, teachers, letter
carriers, the Scranton Central Labor Council and the the Northeast Area
Labor Federation got together for a round table to discuss how our
communities are strengthened by giving these men and women every thing
they need to do their jobs effectively.
Fair wages, quality health benefits, and the resources and tools to
do their jobs are all secured through collectively bargaining. Our
fire fighters, nurses, police officers, letter carriers, and teachers
are a testament to how protecting the right to organize makes our
communities stronger.
"As a letter carrier for thirty years I am out in the community
every day," said George George, NALC Executive Board Member. "People
treat me like family instead of just some person delivering their
mail. And I know through conversations that people are hurting in this
economy and working two jobs at a time just to stay afloat. Many of
them would have a union if they could. That is where the Employee Free
Choice Act comes in."
"At an inherently dangerous job, my union has been there to make
sure we are safe and we are prepared for anything," said David Gervasi,
IAFF Local 60 Vice President. "In order for us to do our jobs and
protect the community, we need to be protected in turn and that is what
a union does. The entire community can only benefit from making sure
it's members are receiving fair wages, benefits and safety at the
workplace. That is why I, as a union member, support other workers'
right to form a union and the Employee Free Choice Act."
"Many of us in Scranton come from union families," said Nancy
Krake, Scranton Central Labor Council President. "We know what it
means to have a family that feels secure, that knows it can afford
health care, and that knows it is protected at the workplace. We want
that for the whole community and we feel that the best first step to
accomplishing that is to pass the Employee Free Choice Act."
"As teachers, we see the effects of the this economic crisis every
day when we see our students," said Patrick McDonough, SFT Secretary
Treasurer. "Many of our students' parents are working multiple jobs
and barely staying afloat. Through our union we are able to fight for
smaller class sizes and for other things that make the classroom a
better place for our students. Union workers are very invested in the
community and better able to give back to the workplace. I know that
the Employee Free Choice Act will be good not only for workers who want
a union, but to all the people in the community around them."
Pennsylvania and America's economy is in shambles and the middle
class is disappearing every day. We need practical solutions to
confront the challenges we all face; and, rebuild an economy that works
for every one. We need to create good-paying jobs that benefit the
community; one clear way to do that is by passing the Employee Free
Choice Act.
As big-business continues to spread their lies and thwart the labor law reform that our economy and workers need, John D'Angelo of Synergistic Healthcare continues to step up his efforts and support the Employee Free Choice Act. John D'Angelo published a letter to the editor in the Philadelphia Business Journal in support of the Employee Free Choice Act, he is working to get other businesses to support the legislation, he met with Senator Specter to discuss the economic benefits of the Employee Free Choice Act and participated in both the Philadelphia and Bucks County Community Round-Table discussions.
"The Employee Free Choice Act is the only way to rebuild the middle class," said John D'Angelo. He explains that, "without job security employees are not going to go and spend money in the community. The Employee Free Choice Act provides businesses and workers in the middle class with a much needed stimulus."
On Tuesday, religious leaders from Philadelphia gathered at a prayer breakfast to urge Senator Specter to support the Employee Free Choice Act. A diverse group - these religious leaders united to discuss the religious imperative of the Employee Free Choice Act. The religious community is deeply committed to ensuring that substantial labor law reform is passed and is asking Senator Specter to stand with hard working families. The various religious leaders believe it is their moral obligation to provide workers with the opportunity to empower themselves and provide security for their families.
Participants at the breakfast included Rabbi Lenard Gordon, Germantown Jewish Center; Reverend Terrence Griffith, Philadelphia Council of Black Churches; Sybil Sanchez, National Jewish Labor Committee; Elliott batTzedek, Interfaith Workers Justice Coalition; Rabbi George Stern, Neighborhood Interfaith Movement and Liz McElroy, Philadelphia AFL-CIO. Senator Specter was represented by Mike Oscar.
The focus of the breakfast was on promoting and uplifting the dignity of working people through passing the Employee Free Choice Act in its current form!
Below is Rabbi Leonard Gordon advocating for the Employee Free Choice Act:
Reverend Terrence Griffith states that Senator Specter should not miss out on the opportunity to support labor law reform:
Mike Oscar from Senator Specter's office said the Employee Free Choice Act is one of the most lobbied issues ever. The Senator continues to welcome the views of labor and its allies across the Keystone State. Mike Oscar delivered a message from the Senator (the same one that Senator Specter delivered at the Democratic State Committee Meeting in Pittsburgh) that in the end labor will be satisfied with Senator Specter's vote.
Today, June 11th, small businesses gathered with union members at
Parson's Family Restaurant in Wilkes-Barre to discuss the Employee Free
Choice Act and why its passage would help the local economy. The
owners of Parson's Family Restaurant, Déjà vu Hair & Nails Salon,
Ledorreti's Auto Service, and Zorgo Printing Service INC all agreed
with the union member that included those from AFT, NALC, UFCW and UMWA
that the Employee Free Choice Act is good for local small businesses
and workers alike.
"When worker receive fair wages they have more money to spend at
local businesses," said Gail Zadora, co-owner with her husband Rob of
Parson's Family Restaurant. "I know quite a few of my customers are
union members."
"Small businesses depend on each and every one of their customers,”
said George Zorgo Jr., owner of Zorgo Printing, INC. “When customers
have good, well-paying jobs and aren’t worried about the rising cost of
health care then local businesses do better. Small businesses depend
on the middle class for business and the middle class is supported by
jobs that have fair wages and benefits.”
"This recession has hurt my business," said Joe Ledorreti Jr.,
owner of Ledorreti's Auto Service. "I know the best thing for the
economy is more money in the pockets of working people. When working
people have money in their pockets, they spend it. And I know that
union jobs tend to pay better than non-union jobs."
Local small businesses depend on a strong middle class, one that is
build on good jobs with fair wages and benefits. The Employee Free
Choice Act will help to save America's middle class by making it
easier for workers to gain the kind of wages that will allow them to
take care of their families and give back to their community. Lets
continue to work with our local small businesses and let Senator
Specter know that our local economies depend on his vote of support for
the Employee Free Choice Act.
Today in Pittsburgh, unions and their allies rallied in support of the
Employee Free Choice Act at the Pennsylvania State Democratic
Convention where Senator Arlen Specter was, for the first, time
announcing himself to the committee as a Democrat.
Specter's day was
full of meetings as he started by addressing the Labor Caucus at the
State Committee meeting. Caucus members expressed their support of the Employee Free Choice Act
to the Senator and their concern that he had changed his previous
support of the Act.
Then, over three hundred union members joined
public officials and community activists at a rally to let the senator
know that he must support the Employee Free Choice Act if he, in turn,
wants to receive the support of the labor movement. Unions represented
at the rally included AFGE, AFSCME, ATU, CWA, IBEW, IRON, IUPAT, UA,
UFCW, UMWA, UNITE HERE, USW, UWUA, and SEIU.
Speakers at the rally
included Bill George, President, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO; Fred Redmond,
International Vice President of USW; Jack Shea, President, Allegheny
Central Labor Council; and Eileen Connelly, Pennsylvania State Council
Director of SEIU. Senator Arlen Specter and Congressman Joe Sestack
both spoke at the rally as well.
“In the state of Pennsylvania
anyone who gets elected has to come through the labor movement,” said
Bill George, President, Pennsylvania State AFL-CIO. “The labor
movement is here today to remind our candidates that they need to
support the Employee Free Choice Act if they want to continue to
receive our support.”
“There is an injustice being done today,” said
Congressman Joe Sestack. “I intent to be there on voting day to make
sure that the Employee Free Choice Act gets through.” And it
appeared that Senator Arlen Specter is getting the message from working
people that the Employee Free Choice Act is the most important piece of
legislation to the labor movement on the table right now.
Specter
then was officially introduced back into the Democrat Party inside
Pittsburgh's Westin Ballroom before the full State Committee. There, he
addressed the convention by recognizing “As President Bill George said
at the rally this morning you can’t get elected without going through
organized labor and I agree with that,” said Senator Specter. “ I am
willing to take on that challenge and get your support.” The senator
stated before the State Committee delegates that he "understands that
his job is on the line."
The Senator capped off the day with a town
hall meeting at the IBEW Local 5 hall on the south side of Pittsburgh.
Every step of the way, union members and like-minded supporters of the
Employee Free Choice Act shadowed Specter and reaffirmed the need for
meaningful labor law reform. We need to keep the drive going by calling
the his office, writing him letters, and writing letters to our local
newspapers. Let him know that in order to get a vote from us, we expect
a vote from him!
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is wholly committed to making labor law reform a reality in 2009. IBEW members are instrumental in making sure that Senator Specter hears from constituents throughout the state that he should stand with Pennsylvania’s working families and support the Employee Free Choice Act. In addition, local IBEWs continue to be gracious hosts to round table discussions unifying communities across Pennsylvania to support the Employee Free Choice Act.
IBEW 229 in York, PA hosted a previewing of the ad “Will Specter Do the Right Thing?” in addition the harassment and firings that their members suffered at Orbitz Technologies were the focus of the York, PA roundtable. Business Manager Paules affirmed that the leadership and members of IBEW are dedicated to rebuilding the middle class in America. The current system is broken, “all too often workers face coercion and intimidation on the job when trying to get their fair share, and corporations have accepted union busting as a cost of doing business” notes Mr. Paules. Members from IBEW 229 testified in York, PA that they were “fired and harasses merely for trying to create a safe working environment.”
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)
