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Throwback Thursday Labor History: The Avondale Mine Disaster

Originally posted on ExplorePAHistory.com One hundred and ten of brave men were smothered underground;They’re in their graves ’til the last day, their widows may bewailAnd the orphans’ cries, they rend the skies, all ’round through Avondale. – lyrics from “The Mines of Avondale” In the 1800s, the American industrial revolution was fueled by coal, and northeastern Pennsylvania had the largest anthracite (hard coal) deposits in the Western Hemisphere. Read More

Unions Hold Press Conferences Around PA, Call for Action on HB1082

Pennsylvania Workers and Their Unions Call For Action on Worker Safety and Health (HARRISBURG) — Today, workers and their unions, supported by local governments around the Commonwealth, held seven press conferences across the Commonwealth asking for action in the General Assembly on House Bill 1082 and Senate Bill 464. Events were held in Philadelphia, Scranton, Reading, Harrisburg, Ebensburg, Pittsburgh, and Erie. Read More

Hundreds Rally in Franklin to Save Polk Center

Initially posted on AFSCME Council 13 A sea of red flooded the Venango County Courthouse on Labor Day as community members, elected officials, Polk Center employees and family of Polk residents expressed their outrage over the closure of Polk State Center. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the closure of Polk State Center and White Haven State Center on August 14. Read More