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2008 Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
Convention makes history

            More than 1,000 delegates and guests to the 2008 Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Convention experienced history, listened, spoke and honored.

The Pa. AFL-CIO listened to a galaxy of national, state and local government leaders and Union leaders.
           On April 1, 2008 Philadelphia Mayor, Michael A. Nutter, and Philadelphia AFL-CIO President, Patrick Eiding, warmly greeted Convention delegates.
           Afterwards, the Convention made history by hearing from the two leading Democratic U.S. Presidential hopefuls, Senators Hilary Clinton (NY) and Barack Obama (IL).  Their spirited appearances were eclipsed only by the delegates’ dignified reception of them.  “Convention delegates set a shining example for all Americans by the dignity they showed to Senator Obama and Senator Clinton,” Pa. AFL-CIO President Bill George said.  “Some of our affiliated unions have endorsed one or the other.  But, the delegates showed respect to both candidates when they addressed the Convention.  The delegates demonstrated that as is with all houses, within the House of Labor there sometimes are conflicting opinions and positions.  But, most importantly, we respect each others’ positions, and when the nomination is decided, we all will unite and forge ahead to do what is best for all workers.”
            While in session, Convention delegates also listened to: Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell; Pa. Auditor General, Jack Wagner; U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D); U.S. Congressmen, Christopher Carney (D-10), Chakah Fattah (D-2) and Patrick J. Murphy (D-8); National AFL-CIO President, John Sweeney; CWA President, Larry Cohen; AFL-CIO Health Care Reform Campaign Director, Heather Booth; and America’s Agenda Director, Mark Blum.

The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO also spoke.
           Pres. George reported to the Convention the State Federation’s accomplishments since the last convention, Today’s Challenges for workers and how union members can make them Tomorrow’s Victories (For complete report please CLICK HERE) and Labor’s Legislative Agenda: Review and Preview (For complete report please CLICK HERE).
            Secretary-Treasurer, Rick Bloomingdale, provided an administrative, financial and membership summary report (For complete report of please CLICK HERE) and a COPE Report (For complete report please CLICK HERE).

The Pa. AFL-CIO also honored union members who have made significant personal contributions to promote the best interest of workers.

• Citizen of Year Award honoree – WILLIAM HAUENSTEIN;
• Union Man of the Year – PATRICK EIDING, Phila. AFL-CIO Council Pres.;
• Union Woman of the Year – LINDA SANDERS, UNITE-HERE;
• Lifetime Achievement Awards – NORMA BRAIDIGAN, AFSCME District Council 86 Dir. (retired), and WILLIAM SPRANDEL, BCTGM and Union Label (retired);
• Outstanding Achievement Award – Helen Elliott, Cen. PA Chapter of CLUW Pres.; and,
• Special Recognition – CHARLIE McCOLLISTER, PA Labor History Society.

2008 Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Convention Newsletters             Opening Day, April 1, 2008 – Please CLICK HERE. Wednesday, April 2, 2008 – Please CLICK HERE. Thursday, April 3, 2008 – Please CLICK HERE.

      “Union members worked hard for great outcomes of this year’s General Elections
and got them.  Topping the list of victorious candidates endorsed by Labor are
Supreme Court Justices Debra Todd and Seamus McCaffery and Superior Court Judge
Christine Donohue.  Most other State Court candidates endorsed by Labor also won
elections as did many of Labor’s endorsed candidates in key local races across the
Commonwealth.
      “Thanks to the commitment and hard work of thousands of volunteers mobilized by
AFL-CIO Area Labor Federations, Central Labor Councils, Local Union leaders and
rank-and-file activists the 2007 General Elections have yielded significant wins in
State Judicial Elections and county commissioner and other local elections,” George
said.
     “Labor’s unified grass-roots political action statewide by our leaders and volunteer
rank-and-file activists made PA Labor 2007 Member-To-Member Program succeed,”
George said.  The PA Labor 2007 Member-To-Member Program included:
phone calls, door-to-door canvassing, worksite leaflets, direct mail and local union
publications.
     “The outstanding victories for working families in this year’s elections boosts
Labor’s energy, enthusiasm and momentum going into the 2008 elections for
President, Congress and the State Legislature,” Bloomingdale said.

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There is currently legislation in Washington D.C. known as the Employee Free Choice Act which would allow employers to recognize a union when the majority of workers sign authorization cards, designating the union as their bargaining agent. The right to form a union, however, has been eroded over the last several years, resulting in increasing employer harassment, discrimination, and sometimes termination for workers taking initial steps toward forming a union. Twenty-five per cent of private-sector employers illegally fire at least one worker for union activity during organizing campaigns. Even where workers successfully form unions, employers often refuse to bargain fairly with the workers. Moreover, 92% of employers illegally force employees to attend mandatory, closed-door meetings against the union. The Employee Free Choice Act will protect workers from these abuses, provide for first contract mediation and arbitration, and establish meaningful penalties when employers violate workers rights. Find more information here.

If you have a story to share regarding your organizing efforts, please click here and share it with us. Your story could make it easier for another to form a union in the workplace.

 

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