workers rights

Two weeks ago Philadelphia Parking Authority sent notices to approximately 100 taxi drivers, claiming that the drivers were owed money from past credit card transactions and should report to the PPA office on Wednesday, June 30th to receive their unclaimed check. As the drivers arrived at the Parking Authority, they were hand cuffed and arrested. In total, 27 drivers were arrested, 22 drivers were ultimately released and the whereabouts and identities of the other drivers is not known.

Recently, the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Board ruled that illegal unilateral changes made to employee working conditions by Temple prior to the strike on March 31 rendered such work stoppage a lockout. This decision effectively makes the nurses and allied professionals that went on a 28-day strike  in May, eligible for unemployment compensation costs, which come to around $550 per week per worker. “We are thrilled that our legal position has been vindicated by this decision,” said Bill Cruice, PASNAP’s Executive Director and attorney. “It is not surprising that the Unemployment Compensation Board has declared that the 4-week strike was actually a lockout by Temple; it is consistent with our message that Temple executives were reckless and irresponsible in their approach to our negotiations from day one.” The union estimates that Temple spent approximately $15 million during the strike on replacement workers’ wages, luxury hotel rooms, and airfare on temporary replacement employees from 42 states across the country, and will now owe an additional $1.5 million in unemployment compensation to PASNAP members.

by Milena Velis and Todd Wolfson

Update: Ron Blunt was found not guilty

Despite having already been exonerated on assault charges, Ronald Blount, President of the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance (UTWA) will stand trial for a second time this week on the same allegations. Back in October of 2009, in municipal court, a jury exonerated him in less than one hour. But that resounding decision has not deterred the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) from retrying Mr Blount for the same crime in their administrative court, Thursday April 22nd. 

The Philadelphia Joint Board has filed a complaint in court that accuses AraMark of not paying earned overtime to workers at Citizens Bank Park, home the Phillies baseball team, Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Eagles NFL football team, and the Spectrum, home of the Flyers NHL hockey team. The complaint further alledges that AraMark deducts a half hour from any worker who puts in six hours or more whether they took a break or not. The Philadelphia Joint Board says this is "wage theft" plain and simple.

A delegation of security guards and supporters were turned away from the staff entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art without achieving their goal: delivering a letter to the office of CEO, Gail Harrity.

See previous video and news about Security Guard Struggle at PMA here.

29 de Abril 2009, Radio Tlacuache estuvó afuera de Philly en los suburbios con el sindicato SEIU 32BJ.  Ahora los trabajadores de limpieza de Philly esta recibiendo un slario justo por la lucha del sindicato.  Un trabajdor de este sindicato recibe $15 por hora mas beneficios.  Pero las mismas companias que paga bien sus empleos en la ciudad esta tratando de esconderse en las afrueras de  Philly y sigue pagando salarios miserables a los trabajadores que se queda limpia sus oficinas.

This article from the New York Times details the fight being waged outside of Chicago of Hartmarx garment workers. Hartmarx is a company that has been making men's suits for over 122 years. President Obama sported a Hartmarx suit made by these very workers just months ago for his inaguration.

On Wednesday April 1st, hundreds of people with disabilities, seniors, and home care attendants are gathered in Harrisburg to ask for justice. For people with disabilities and seniors, that means the right to choose long term care support at home, rather than in nursing homes. For the home care attendants that help make the independence of thousands of Philadelphians possible, that means the right to get health care benefits and wages that can support a family.

On Thursday February 26th, students, workers, clergy and community members converged on the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) to rally around security guards working at the museum.

On Friday February 20th, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in the case of the Taxi Workers Alliance et al vs. The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA). In a 5-2 decision, the court ruled in favor of the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance (UTWA) giving the Commonwealth Court jurisdiction over PPA and offering taxi drivers, as well as cab and dispatch companies, a place to seek redress in regards to PPA regulations.