AUGUST 2010, Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton edition of The Union News

USW Union Local 2599 talking with Victaulic about contract

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSABE@AOL.COM

REGION, July 15th- There are negotiations between officials of the Victaulic Company and the United Steelworkers of America (USW) Union Local 2599 attempting to gain a successor contract agreement between the parties.

Victaulic operates a pipe couplings manufacturing facility in Forks Township and the two sides have been without a contract agreement since January 31st, 2010 when the previous pact expired. On February 8th, 2010 the union membership rejected Victaulic’s “final” contract proposal 269 to 0. The two sides agreed to work under the terms and conditions of the previous contract following the vote.

The USW represents approximately 275 workers of Victaulic with around 37 currently laid-off stated Jerry Green, Local 2599 President.

The union has two labor contracts with the Victaulic Company. Local 2599 also represents around 130 employees of the employers Alburtis facility. The Alburtis contract will not expire until September 2013.

The membership rejected the contract because the company’s proposal requested many union concessions including the removal of much of the working condition language. The agreement offered no wage increase, an increase for health care, and lower wages for laid-off employees when recalled. Mr. Green told the newspaper laid-off workers had no reason what-so-ever to vote in favor of the pact.

Mr. Green told the newspaper negotiations have restarted recently and major issues remain between the parties. “One major thing that is off the table is language for two-tier laid-off recall,” stated Mr. Green. He said the company wanted to recall laid-off workers under a lower pay scale that what they had before being laid-off.

The company still wants several pay scales for employees including one scale for new hires, in which those workers would never achieve the wages that older hires are receiving.

Meanwhile, Mr. Green told the newspaper discussions are underway in an attempt to settle the Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) complaint filed by the USW against Northampton County regarding the contract at Gracedale Nursing Home, which is owned and operated by the County.

The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) ruled Northampton County officials have violated the Public Employee Relations Act when the negotiated agreement between the parties was not implemented by the county.

Mr. Green stated the issue may be resolve providing contract negotiations are renewed and his members receive the pay increase provided under the previously reached agreement for 2009 and 2010. The union represents around 50 nurses and social workers at Gracedale. The previous contract expired in December 2008.

“We will need to negotiate all over again,” said Green. “We want to help the county but they need to be fair with us.”

AUGUST 2010, Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton edition of The Union News

Building Trades Unions again involved with youth apprentice program

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSABE@AOL.COM

REGION, July 18th- The pre-apprenticeship program in the Lehigh Valley began on July 5th for the second consecutive year.

Last May affiliated local union members of the Building and Construction Trades Council of the Lehigh Valley announced the new program at the Lehigh Valley Career Link in Allentown.

The labor federation along with the United Community Services sponsors the program and is funded by the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board. Funds are provided through the Pennsylvania allocation from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The program is intended to provide youths from the Lehigh Valley, which must first meet the financial requirements, the ability to study and learn about becoming a construction tradesperson.

The program will provide for the eligible youths both academic preparation and work experiences to enter the building trades apprenticeship programs.

There are 19 local unions affiliated with the Building and Construction Trades Council of the Lehigh Valley which represents workers employed within the construction trade industry. Many of those unions are involved with the program and are asked by Vicki Henshaw, who directs the program, to participate in classroom discussion and informing the youths of what is involve to become a construction tradesperson.

Ms. Henshaw, which has worked in the Lehigh Valley within the social services for many years, told the newspaper last year there were fourteen youths enrolled in the program and this year there is twenty.

“The program was a success in 2009 and much of this years program is the same as last years,” said Ms. Henshaw. None of the youths enrolled in this year were involved in the 2009 program.

Following the summer long program the youths will receive their certification for completing the course during a event in which their parents will be asked to participate.

Apprentice classrooms of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Union Local 375 in Allentown are used for the classroom studies and is headquarted in their building on Liberty Street.

William Dorward, Area Marketing Representative for the Sheet Metal Workers International Union Local 19, which represents employees that install duct work for heating and air conditioning and metal roofs throughout the Lehigh Valley, in a earlier newspaper story the pre-apprenticeship program has been conducted in the Reading area for several years and is very successful.

The youths will get acquainted with the building trades apprenticeship programs, visit job sites, and learn about building trades unions. They will be required to study math, construction safety and building trade work readiness. The requirements for the program will mirror a real union apprenticeship program.

August 2010, Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton edition of The Union News

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Joe Sestak likely to receive labor support

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSABE@AOL.COM

REGION, July 17th- Delegates of the Pennsylvania American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) will meet on August 12th and Democratic Pennsylvania United States Senatorial candidate Joe Sestak will likely be endorsed by the labor federation over former Lehigh Valley Republican Congressman (15th Legislative District) Pat Toomey. While serving three two-year terms in Washington, DC, Mr. Toomey supported pro-labor legislation less than ten percent of the time.

Pro-business organizations, including the United States Chamber of Commerce, are sponsoring television advertisements across Pennsylvania attacking Mr. Sestak.

In May Mr. Sestak defeated the AFL-CIO supported incumbent Democratic Senator Arlen Specter to become their party’s nominee for the November election.

Mr. Sestak did receive support from the labor community in the May election including from the United Food and Commerical Workers (UFCW) Union Local 1776 and the United Steelworkers of America (USW) Union Local 2599 in Bethlehem.

After the AFL-CIO meets on August 12th and announces which political candidates the labor federation will support in the November election, the labor community will conduct educational programs requesting union members’ support the candidates. Mr. Sestak will likely be one of those candidates.

Recently, two Pittsburgh television stations removed anti-Sestak advertisements paid for by the Chamber of Commerce because they inaccurately stated what Mr. Sestak’s voting record is while serving in the House of Representatives.

August 2010, Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton edition of The Union News

Teamsters Union files complaints against employers

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSABE@AOL.COM

REGION, July 17th- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Union Local 773 in Allentown filed labor complaints against several Lehigh Valley employers alleging they violated the National Labor Relations Act (NLRAct).

On June 11th, 2010 the Union filed a Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge against Coca-Cola Bottling of Lehigh Valley alleging the employer violated Section 8 (a), subsections (1)(3) and (4) of the NLRAct.

“On or about June 2010 the above named Employer, by and through its agents, has violated the above referenced provisions of the Act by terminating the employment of a Teamsters Local 773 member because of his union activity and because of his participation in the filling and investigation of an NLRB charge, including providing a sworn affidavit,” states the complaint. Local 773 represents workers employer at the Coca-Cola facility on Industrial Drive in Bethlehem.

The ULP was filed at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region Four office in Philadelphia. The newspaper is the only member of the local media that reviews and publishes the information.

On July 12th, 2010 Local 773 filed a ULP against Hayward Laboratories, North Courtland Street in East Stroudsburg alleging the employer violated Section 8 (a) and subsections (1) and (3) of the NLRAct.

The complaint alleges the Employer violated the NLRAct by discriminatorily disciplining shop steward Mary Pitt, including yelling and screaming at her and issuing warnings for behavior other employees engage in without consequences.

All of these actions began once Ms. Pitt was appointed assistant shop steward on the third shift, states the complaint.

The ULP was filed on behalf of Local 773 by Attorney Regina Hertzig of Philadelphia.

A NLRB source indicated the complaint is under investigation.

Support the Jewish Labor Committee

by John O. Mason

The Jewish Labor Committee is the Jewish voice within the Labor movement, and the Labor voice within the Jewish community, serving as a liaison between the two causes, sharing each side’s values. It was founded in February 1934 by Yiddish-speaking trade unionists, plus members of the Workmen’s Circle, the United Hebrew Trades, and the Jewish Socialist Bund, in order to combat the rise of Fascism in Europe and America.

In recent years, JLC has been active in the fight for the rights of immigrant workers, and has protested the abusive labor practices found in the Agroprocessors meat processing plant in Iowa, supported the Republic Windows and Doors workers in Chicago, and has worked for dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian trade unionists. One of JLC’s programs is the Labor Seder, linking the freedom struggle of the ancient Israelites to current and past Labor struggles.

Recently, the Philadelphia JLC has lost its funding from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, which jeopardizes its ability to conduct its programs. Other JLC chapters may be facing this plight. If you want to help JLC, contact the main JLC office:

Jewish Labor Committee
25 East 21st Street
New York, NY 10010
(212)477-0707
www.jewishlabor.org

July 12, 2010
REPUBLICANS JUST DON’T LIKE THE UNEMPLOYED, CONT’D….

I’ve been marveling in recent months at the ways in which Republican lawmakers and candidates seem to actively dislike — on a personal level — those who’ve lost their jobs in the recession. It’s kind of odd, given that the unemployed don’t seem to have done anything to offend the GOP and earn the party’s disdain.

In the latest example, we see Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett (R), the frontrunner in this year’s gubernatorial race, arguing publicly that jobless workers in his state are choosing not to work, preferring to live on meager unemployment aid.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett on Friday accused some jobless Pennsylvanians of choosing to collect unemployment checks rather than going back to work, prompting swift criticism from his Democratic opponent and one of the state’s top labor leaders.

“The jobs are there. But if we keep extending unemployment, people are just going to sit there,” Corbett told Harrisburg radio station WITF at a campaign stop in Elizabethtown. “I’ve literally had construction companies tell me, ‘I can’t get people to come back to work until . . . they say, “I’ll come back to work when unemployment runs out.” ‘ ”

I obviously can’t speak with confidence about what some guy told some other guy who in turn told Corbett. But the general argument is getting quite tiresome.

“The jobs are there”? No, they’re really not. Nationwide, there are five applicants for every one opening, which is a terribly painful ratio. Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate is currently at a 26-year high.

Corbett not only seems confused about economic conditions, but his animosity about the jobless’ attitudes is awful. Yes, I can appreciate the fact that an unemployed worker who’s exhausted his/her benefits will be more desperate to take any job than an unemployed worker who’s still receiving public aid. But this dynamic matters a whole lot more when there are plenty of job opportunities for those who want them. That’s just not the current reality.

To hear Corbett tell it, the unemployed prefer to be unemployed — turning down job opportunities that pay more, choosing to rely on aid that offers far less. Worse, Corbett doesn’t seem to realize that his approach makes the larger problem worse — cutting people off from unemployment benefits undercuts consumer spending, which in turn leads to less demand and fewer job opportunities……

Read the rest of this article at

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_07/024674.php

JULY 2010 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton edition of The Union News

Robert Casey’s legislation would help keep workers’ pensions solvent

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSSWB@AOL.COM

REGION, June 17th- The Americans for Limited Government (ALG), a conservative political organization in Fairfax, Virginia, is critizing United States Senator Robert Casey’s (Democrat-Pennsylvania) Pension bailout legislation and is urging the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to reject it.

The United States Congress is considering legislation that would help the multi-employer pension system remain solvent.

Mr. Casey’s bill titled, “Create Jobs and Save Benefits Act of 2010,” could result in taxpayer money being used to help workers pensions remain solvent.

Most of these pensions are held in what are known as multi-employer pension funds. Created in 1974 as part of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, these funds are an agreement between a union and two or more employers to fund the pension of workers and retirees. It has been estimated the pension fund could be approximately $165 million in debt.

The rub is that many of the participating company’s have gone out of business but their employees remain in the system, and become the remaining company’s responsibility. As these multi-employer pension plans become more and more insolvent, the unions are faced with members pensions shortfalls.

The ALG, their media allies, and other conservative groups are suggesting the legislation is nothing but a bailout of union members pensions.

If the pension problem is not rectified the shortfall could result in cutting benefits, raising the retirement age, asking retired members to contribute to the fund or force unions to use dues money

JULY 2010 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton edition of The Union News

MSA unemployment rate remains the highest in Pennsylvania

BY PAUL LEESON
THEUNIONNEWSSWB@AOL.COM

REGION, June 30th- According to labor data provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the region’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 10.3 percent, increasing by three-tenths of a percentage point from the previous report, which was released approximately four weeks before. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) includes Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming Counties. Twelve months ago the unemployment rate for the region was 8.5 percent. The unemployment rate is the highest for the region since September 1992 when it reached 10.5 percent.

The unemployment rate in Pennsylvania is 9.1 percent, rising by one-tenth of a percentage point from the previous report. Pennsylvania has a seasonally adjusted civilian labor force of 6,463,000 with 591,000 not working and 5,872,000 with employment. The national unemployment rate is 9.7 percent.

There are 14,973,000 civilians in the nation reported to be unemployed.

That number does not include civilians that have exhausted their unemployment benefits and have stopped looking for work. There are at least 22,000,000 civilians in the nation without jobs. Approximately 200,000 civilians in the nation are exhausting their unemployment benefits every week and will not be counted in the national unemployment rate.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton MSA has the fourth largest labor force in Pennsylvania with 286,200 civilians. The Philadelphia MSA has the largest labor force at 2,995,300 with 279,900 not working; the Pittsburgh MSA has the second largest labor force at 1,229,800 with 105,700 without jobs; the Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton MSA has the third largest labor force at 425,400 with 41,900 not working; and the Harrisburg/Carlisle MSA has the fifth largest civilian labor force at 286,200 with 24,300 without employment.

Of the 14 MSA’s within Pennsylvania, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton MSA is tied with the Johnstown MSA for the highest unemployment rate. The Erie MSA has the second highest unemployment rate in Pennsylvania at 10.0 percent, with the Allentown/Bethlhem/Easton MSA and the Reading MSA tied with the third highest at 9.9 percent.

There are 29,400 residents reported to be not working in the MSA, increasing by 800 from the previous report and rising by 5,100 from twelve months before. That number also does not include civilians who unemployment benefits have expired and stopped looking for work.

The State College MSA has the lowest unemployment rate in Pennsylvania at 6.7 percent. The Lebanon MSA has the second lowest unemployment rate in the state at 7.9 percent, the Altoona MSA and the Lancaster MSA are tied for the third lowest rate at 8.0.

Wyoming County has the lowest unemployment rate in the MSA at 9.5 percent, decreasing by two-tenths of a percentage point from the previous report and increasing by nine-tenths of a percentage points from one year ago. Wyoming County has a labor force of 14,500, decreasing by 300 civilians from the previous report and dropping by 100 from one year ago. There are 1,400 Wyoming County residents without jobs, unchanged from the previous report and increasing by 100 from twelve months ago.

Luzerne County has the highest unemployment rate in the MSA at 10.6 percent, increasing by two-tenths of a percentage point from the previous report and increasing by one and seven-tenths of a percentage point from twelve months ago. Luzerne County has a labor force of 162,900, decreasing by 200 from the previous report and increasing by 900 during the past twelve months. Of the labor force 17,300 do not have a job, increasing by 400 during the past four weeks and rising by 3,000 during the past twelve months.

Lackawanna County has a unemployment rate of 9.9 percent, increasing four-tenths of a percentage point from the previous report and jumping by one and nine-tenths of a percentage point from one year ago. Lackawanna County has a labor force of 108,900, unchanged from the previous report and rising by 700 during the past twelve months. There are 10,800 Lackawanna County residents without jobs, rising by 500 from the previous report and increasing by 2,100 during the past twelve months.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre MSA seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs increased 600 to 254,000 since the last report. Since May 2009 the area has lost 600 jobs.

JULY 2010 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton edition of The Union News

Labor complaints against Postal Service accumulating

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSSWB@AOL.COM

REGION, July 1st- The newspaper discovered labor complaints filed by labor organizations that represent workers employed by the United States Postal Service (USPS) are beginning to accumulate against the mail delivery service.

A review by the newspaper of Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges filed at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region Four office in Philadelphia shows multible complaints have been filed by several labor organizations from throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania alleging the USPS has violated the National Labor Relations Act (NLRAct).

The newspaper reported in the February edition the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 17 in Scranton, filed a complaint with the NLRB on February 3rd, 2010 alleging the USPS violated the NLRAct by delaying the bidding process which has resulted in a senior carrier floating. Branch 17 represents approximately 110 workers employed by the United States Postal Service at their facility in Stafford Avenue in Scranton. NALC represents workers that deliver mail to both residential and business customers. Branch 17 represents postal employees throughout the Scranton area.

The complaint was filed on behalf of the Union by Thomas Gavin, indentified on the complaint as President of Branch 17.

The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 175, in Wilkes-Barre filed a complaint against the USPS in Wilkes-Barre alleging the employer violated the NLRAct.

The union filed the complaint against the USPS on May 24th, 2010 alleging the employer violated Section 8 (a), subsections (1)(3) and (5) of the NLRAct.

The ULP’s were discovered during the montly review by the newspaper of complaints and petitions filed at the NLRB office. The newspaper is the only member of the local media that reviews and publishes the information.

Local 175 alleges the USPS has renege on an agreement to extend the time limit for processing grievances.

“On or about February 12th, 2010, the above named Employer, unilaterally and without bargaining with the Union, restricted Local 175 President John Kishel from engaging in Union/Steward activities during work hours, and therefore began prohibiting John Kishel from engaging in the above activities during the work day at any time after 12:30 p.m.,” states the complaint.

Local 175 represents postal clerks and maintenance workers for the USPS at their Albrightsville, Andreas, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Canadensis, Conyingham, Dallas, Drums, Falls, Glen Lyon, Harveys Lake, Hazleton, Hunlock Creek, Hunting Mills, Jim Thorpe, Kingston, Lehighton, Nanticoke, Nescopeck, Plymouth, Shickshinny, Tresckow, Tuckhannock, and Wilkes-Barre facilities.

Mr. Kishel was active in 2009 is attempting to persuade the USPS not to close the mail processing center on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre and move the work to Scranton and the Lehigh Valley. The USPS earlier this year did move most of the work and jobs to Scranton and to Bethlehem Township. The USPS stated the move was in response to the 30 percent decline in first class mail over the past decade. Mail volume has dropped to 1964 levels.

Approximately 50 percent of Local 175 members have been reassigned to Scranton and the Lehigh Valley and now must travel to those locations to continue working for the USPS.

JULY 2010 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton edition of The Union News

Cinram Manufacturing plans to layoff senior employees first

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSSWB@AOL.COM

REGION, June 28th- The newspaper has learned Cinram Manufacturing in Olyphant, formerly called Speciality Records, intends to layoff senior employees later this summer before cutting workers that were hire more recently.

Cinram Manufacturing recently announced and the mainstream media reported the company will layoff 155 employees but the report company officials filed with the Department of Labor indicates more than 600 will lose their jobs by the end of 2010.

Cinram Manufacturing is Lackawanna County’s largest manufacturer. In February it was announced the company lost the Warner Home Video manufacturing contract. Warner Home Video will terminate its production contract with Cinram on July 31st. The contract with Warner Home Video represented approximately 28 percent of Cinram’s revenue.

The company operates a 1 million square foot plant in the Mid-Valley Industrial Park, which once manufactured vinyl records and employing several thousand workers.

Cinram employees are not represented by a labor organization, therefore the employer will not need to negotiate what is called, “layoff effects bargaining” and can layoff the most senior workers first and save money by eliminating the employees with accrued vacation weeks.

The average wage of the employees to be laidoff is between $15.00 to $20.00 per hour.

The newspaper is aware of two organizing campaigns at the plant that was conducted by several unions during the past several decades.

According to information provided to the Department of Labor (DOL) by Cinram officials, and obtained by the newspaper, the company will layoff several times in 2010. The first layoff will occur on August 2nd and a second layoff will be held between December 7th and 21st.

The layoffs will effect packaging and assembly operators, offset print operators, and electro-mechanical technicians. The average longevity of the laidoff workers will be at least 18 years.

The company stated it planned to layoff around 600 of the 1,000 workers at the plant. No part-time workers will be effected by the layoff.

Cinram filed with the Department of Labor about the layoffs on April 23rd, and the mainstream media failed to report the actual number of employees to be terminated.

JULY 2010 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton edition of The Union News

Scranton Unions contract dispute heading to Supreme Court

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSSWB@AOL.COM

REGION, June 27th- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments regarding Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty’s implementation of the Pennsylvania Financially Distressed Act, (Act 47) on the public safety unions.

On June 1st, 2010, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued the order that the petition for allowance of appeal is granted with respect to whether Section 252 of Act 47 applies to Act 111 interest arbitration awards.

According to David Schreiber, President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Union Local 60 in Scranton, which represents 137 members of the Scranton Fire Department, the high court will hear arguments about whether a recovery plan promulgated interest arbitration awards under Act 111, which governs fire and police collective bargaining rights, supercedes Act 47. Under Act 111, public safety unions are forbidden to strike during contract disputes, rather raises can be granted through arbitration.

Local 60 and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Union Lodge #2, which represents the Scranton Police Department, have been unable to negotiate for new contracts since Mr. Doherty became the mayor in 2002. The previous contracts expired in December 2002.

Arbitration awards granted raises to the public safety unions members but the city won the right to vacate the awards arguing they violated Mr. Doherty’s recovery plan under Act 47. The unions appealed to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in 2009 and the Court affirmed a modified version of the decision. The Supreme Court will determine if Commonwealth Court erred in determining that the City remains distressed under Act 47 and that the recovery plan remains in effect and whether the court erred in failing to remand the matter to the Act 111 board of arbitration instead of modifying the interest arbitration award itself.

Mr. Schreiber spoke to the newspaper exclusively because of his untrust of the Scranton Times-Tribune reporters and editorial writers regarding stories published in the daily newspaper in the past. “Frankly, they write what they want. What you say has nothing to do with what they print,” Mr. Schreiber stated.

There was 240 firefighters in the Scranton Fire Department 20 years ago and under the previous contract negotiated between former Scranton Mayor James Connors and the union there was 150. However, under Mr. Doherty’s recovery plan, there is no limit to how many firefighters will be employed by Scranton.

The current contract has no expiration date and is loaded with management rights clauses. Under Mr. Doherty’s recovery plan, most rights normal to union contracts are excluded. Under the contract the employer can change working conditions at will at any time.

Mr. Schreiber stated that the Doherty Administration has violated their own recovery plan by increasing spending. “While the fire department’s budget has decreased since he has been mayor, the city budget has increased. We now have fewer people in the fire department than ever, so the city budget problems should not be blamed on us, ” he added.

Mr. Schreiber told the newspaper both sides need to submit their written legal briefs on July 14th. He is hopeful the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will hear the case in late summer or early fall.

The union wanted to negotiate a contract agreement with the Doherty Administration however, the city would not consider any contract language that did not include removing most work protections and replaced them with management rights clauses.

JULY 2010 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton edition of The Union News

Nurses Union to hold labor rally in Wilkes-Barre

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSSWB@AOL.COM

REGION, June 28th- The Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Professionals (PASNAP) Union will hold a rally on July 17th to protest the lack of success in gaining a successor contract agreement with the operators of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital on North River Street in Wilkes-Barre.

PASNAP, Conshohocken Pennsylvania, represents approximately 440 nurses employed at the medical center. The Union also represents nurses employed at the Community Medical Center (CMC) on Mulberry Street in Scranton.

PASNAP and Community Health Systems (CHS) Inc., which operates the medical center, and the union have been negotiating for more than thirteen months attempting to gain a successor contract agreement. The previous pact expired on August 30th, 2009. The two sides agreed to work under the terms and conditions of the previous contract while negotiations continue for a new pact.

The Tennessee based CHS Inc. is the largest owner of for-profit hospitals in the United States and also operates a facility in Pottsville.

The newspaper has learned the rally will begin at the Waterfront at 11am and the protesters will picket the hosptial between 12 and 1 pm. A solidarity picnic at the River Grill/Waterfront will be held following the picketing. Union members are requested to attend to show solidarity for the nurses.

In the previous edition of the newspaper it was reported PASNAP filed a second complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region Four in Philadelphia alleging the operators of the medical center violated the National Labor Relations Act (NLRAct).

The union filed a Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge on March 11, 2010 alleging CHS Inc. is negotiating in bad faith and violated the NLRAct. On May 14th, the union filed another ULP charge alleging the Employer has withdrawn its agreement to specific bargaining proposals and has done so because of ULP’s filed by the Union.

JULY 2010 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton edition of The Union News

Carpenters Union proud of training and education center

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSSWB@AOL.COM

REGION, June 29th- The Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council of Carpenters Union which is affiliated with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America International Union, is proud of their training and educational center in North Lebanon Township and continues to expand the center and the programs.

Robert Zukovich, Coordinator/Instructor of the Carpenters Training and Educational Fund of Greater Pennsylvania, told the newspaper the center first opened in 1988. Mr. Zukovich stated the facility is equipped with the highest quality of materials and machinery needed to educate union apprentices the skills of carpentry.

“The facility is designed to prepare the next generation of carpenters,” said Mr. Zukovich. The facility is also used by journeyman members to expand their skills in the trade.

According to Vern Johnson, Northeast Manager of the Council Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council of Carpenters and Vice President of Carpenters Union Local 645 in Scranton, which represents Carpenters Union members throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, the training center is a state-of-art facility and has expanded since 1988 from 7,800 square feet to more than 35,000 square feet today.

Local 645 is affiliated with the Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council of Carpenters. Local 261 in Scranton had their own training center before the union merged with Carpenters Union Local 514 in Wilkes-Barre approximately seven years ago creating Local 645.

Under the apprentice program applicates must complete a four-year training program which requires classroom teaching and on-the-job training.

Working apprentices wage rates will increase every six months until reaching journeyman status at the end of the four-year program.

Under the millwrights training program, apprentices and journeymen who wish to continue their training, learn to install, maintain, diagnose and repair machines like compressors, pumps, conveyors, monorails, extruders, gas and steam turbines, and mining equipment.

Under the carpenters training program, apprentices learn the carpentry trade which includes working with building materials made with wood, installing tile and insulation, acoustical ceilings, cabinets, and siding.

Gary Ford, President/Organizer of Local 645 and an instructor at the training center stated the Carpenters Training and Educational Fund of Greater Pennsylvania has partnered with the Harrisburg Community College to provide the apprentices with the opportunity to receive college credits.

Mr. Johnson said the rewards of apprenticeship training through the Carpenters are the good wages and benefits received as a skilled craftsperson. He said a unionized carpenter will be working for a union contractor under the protection of a union contract.

Apprentice applicants must reside in twenty-seven counties of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania which includes Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming and Monroe Counties.

The United Brothershood of Carpenters has around 500,000 union members throughout the United States and Canada.

JULY 2010 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton edition of The Union News

Representative requesting coal miners should be honored on postage stamp

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSSWB@AOL.COM

REGION, June 29th- The Pennsylvania House of Representatives adopted union member Eddie Day Pashinski (Democrat-121st Legislative District) resolution offering condolences to the families of the 29 miners who died in a coal explosion in the Upper Branch Mine-South in Raleigh County, West Virginia in April.

Mr. Pashinski also announced he is urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) to honor the efforts of the American coal miner and issue a United States postage stamp honoring coal miners and their families.

Mr. Pashinski is requesting that Congress recognize the sacrifice of the more than 100,000 miners who have died in the course of coal mining in the United States by placing the image of the American coal miner on the face of a stamp.

“The time has come to honor the exhausting and dangerous work performed by generations of coal miners who have powered the past and continue to power the future of this great nation,” Mr. Pashinski stated.

He stated the resolution recommends that states, including Pennsylvania, review their coal mine safety rules.

July 2010, Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton edition of The Union News

Pennsylvania Teachers Union’s support pension legislation

BY PAUL LEESON
THEUNIONNEWSABE@AOL.COM

REGION, June 16th- The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a comprehensive pension reform bill on June 16th that tempers the dramatic spike in pension costs faced by the state and school districts and creates new rules for future employees in an effort to stabilize the finances of public pension funds in future decades.

House Bill number 2497 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 192 to 6 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The measure includes two key elements: mitigating the skyrocketing employer contribution costs faced by the state and school districts by changing the systems’ funding methodologies, and reducing benefits for future state and public school employees.

Under the plan, increased costs to the state and school districts would be capped by a set percentage that increases each year for four years up to 4.5 percent. The increase for subsequent years would remain at 4.5 percent until such a time as the increased costs borne by the state and school districts are less than what is required.

Once that level of payment is reached, neither the state nor the school districts would be permitted to contribute less than the “normal cost” to maintain benefits as determined by actuaries. Meanwhile the state’s two school employees unions, the American Federation of Teachers of Pennsylvania (AFT) and the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), are supporting the legislation.

“Our organization supports the legislation as a balanced solution to address pension concerns, while preserving the defined benefits pension system for current and future school employees and reducing costs to taxpayers in 2011 and beyond,” said James Testerman, President of the PSEA.

“This bill helps preserve and protect jobs and quality education now, and keeps the promise of a secure retirement in the future,” stated Ted Kirsch, President of the AFT of Pennsylvania.

The PSEA is not affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organization (AFL-CIO) in Washington while the AFT is affiliated with the labor federation.

Under the amendment, new public school employees will contribute 7.5 percent of their pay to their pension, currently they pay 6.25 percent.

July 2010, Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton edition of The Union News

NALC Union members collect a record amount of food

BY PAUL LEESON
THEUNIONNEWSABE@AOL.COM

REGION, June 5th- Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Union collected a record amount of food during their national food drive held across the nation on May 8th.

Americans donated 77.1 million pounds of nonperishable food to help stamp out hunger in their communities this year in the annual Letter Carriers National Food Drive.

NALC President Fredric Rolando stated 77,132,180 pounds of food were collected in the drive and delivered to local food banks, pantries and shelter to help needy families. It is the nation’s largest one-day effort to combat hunger. “The results of the May 8 effort easily eclipsed the previous record, set last year of 73.4 million pounds,” said Mr. Rolando.

The 18th annual food drive boosted the total donations collected since the drive began in 1993 to more than 1 billion pounds.

“Despite the lingering effects of the recession, postal customers came through again this year in the continuing fight against hunger in America. Our members and the thousands of rural letter carriers and other volunteers were proud to deliver the generous donations from millions of caring citizens who wanted to help needy families in their communities,” added Mr. Rolando.NALC members in the Lehigh Valley are represented by Local Branch 389 in Easton, Local Branch 274 in Bethlehem and Local Branch 254 in Allentown.

The food drive is held in all fifty states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. It is the largest one-day food drive in the nation.

The effort by the union began in 1991 with a 10-city pilot program. The union members colllected 290 tons of food that year.

NALC members collect the food as they deliver mail along their postal routes. The NALC represents mail delivery employees of the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Tampa, Florida, NALC Branch 599 members collected 2,062,529 pounds, the most food in the nation. West Coast Florida, Branch 1477 was second and Buffalo/Western New York, Branch 3 was third.

NALC has 295,000 active and retired members throughout the nation.

JULY 2010, Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton edition of The Union News

John Callahan seeking the endorsement of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSABE@AOL.COM

REGION, June 19th- House of Representatives 15th Legislative District Democratic candidate Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan is seeking the endorsement of the Pennsylvania American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) in Harrisburg.

Mr. Callahan and Independent candidate Jake Towne are challenging Republican Congressman Charlie Dent in the November election.

On May 18th Mr. Dent defeated fellow Republican Matt Benol while Mr. Callahan has no challengers for the Democratic nomination.

Mr. Callahan is expected to receive most or all of the support of the labor community.

Mr. Dent is seeking a fourth two-year term in representing the Lehigh Valley in Washington, DC. Mr. Dent’s labor voting record has decrease each term since first being elected. He voted against raising the minimum wage, voted against providing loans to the American automobile makers and voted against the Employee Free Choice Act/Card Check (EFCAct).

The labor community including unions of the Building and Construction Trades Council; the AFL-CIO of the Lehigh Valley; public sector unions; and industrial unions; have held fundraising events for Mr. Callahan’s campaign.

The 15th Legislative District has been held by a Republican for six consecutive terms. Former Republican 15th Legislative District Representative Pat Toomey did not seek a fourth term in 2004. Mr. Toomey is challenging Democratic nominee Joe Sestak in replacing Arlen Specter representing Pennsylvania in the United States Senate in Washington.

Meanwhile, Mr. Callahan has completed and summitted a candidate questionnaire of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. The labor federation will not endorse an candidate unless they first answer the questionnaire.

According to the questionnaire, Mr. Callahan if elected would vote for passage of EFCAct. The legislation was passed by the House of Representatives 241-185 in March 2007 but was blocked by a Senate fillibuster in June 2007.

Mr. Callahan would also oppose a national “right-to-work” bill that would prohibit unionized workers and their employers from voluntarily agreeing to “union security” contract language.

He stated on the questionnaire if elected he would support allowing former President George W. Bush tax cuts for the top income brackets to expire. He vowed to support the raising of the federal minimum wage and automatic adjustments on an annual basis of the mimimum wage.

The AFL-CIO delegates will meet on August 12th to vote on which candidates the organization will endorse in Pennsylvania. Mr. Callahan will likely receive the endorsement of the labor federation because of Mr. Dent’s poor labor voting record.

JULY 2010, Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton edition of The Union News

Lehigh Valley unemployment rate at 9.7 percent

BY PAUL LEESON
THEUNIONNEWSABE@AOL.COM

REGION, June 14th- According to labor data provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Center for Workforce Information and Analysis in Harrisburg, the Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 9.7 percent, decreasing by one-tenth of a percentage point from the previous month. The MSA includes Lehigh, Northampton, and Carbon Counties of Pennsylvania and Warren County, New Jersey. Twelve months ago the unemployment rate for the region was 8.2 percent.

There are fourteen Metropolitan Statistical Area’s in Pennsylvania and the Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton Metropolitan Statistical Area is tied with the Johnstown MSA for the third highest unemployment rate. The only region’s with a higher unemployment rate than the Lehigh Valley is the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton MSA at 10.0 percent and the Erie MSA at 9.9 percent.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Pennsylvania is 9.0 percent, unchanged from the previous report, which was released approximately four weeks ago. There are 584,000 Pennsylvania residents without jobs, but the number does not include residents that have exhausted their unemployment benefits and stopped looking for work.

Pennsylvania has a seasonally adjusted workforce of 6,470,000 and 5,886,000 of them have employment. The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was reported to be 9.9 percent, increasing by two-tenths of a percentage point from the previous report.

There are 15,260,000 residents nationally unemployed but counting workers who benefits have been exhausted or unable to find full-time work there are more than 20 million Americans without jobs.

The data shows the Reading MSA has the fourth highest unemployment rate in the state at 9.6 percent with the Williamsport MSA the fifth highest at 9.4 percent.

The State College MSA has the lowest unemployment rate in Pennsylvania at 6.6 percent, with the Lebanon MSA the second lowest at 7.6 percent and the Altoona MSA and Lancaster MSA are tied for the third lowest unemployment rate in Pennsylvania at 7.9 percent.

The Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton MSA has the third largest civilian labor force in Pennsylvania at 426,500, rising by 3,400 during the past twelve months. There are 41,600 residents in the MSA without jobs, rising by 6,800 during the past twelve months. Those numbers also does not include workers who have exhausted their benefits.

The Philadelphia MSA has the largest civilian labor force in Pennsylvania at 2,998,400 with 280,300 residents not working. The Pittsburgh MSA has the second largest civilian labor force at 1,234,900, with 104,500 residents unemployed. The Harrisburg/Carlisle MSA has the fourth largest civilian labor force in the state at 287,200, with 23,300 residents unemployed. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre MSA has the fifth largest civilian labor force at 286,700 with 28,500 residents not working.

Carbon County has the highest unemployment rate in the MSA at 11.1 percent. Northampton County has the lowest rate at 9.5 percent and Lehigh County’s unemployment rate is 9.8 percent.

JULY 2010 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton edition of The Union News

CMC nurses union getting ready for contract negotiations

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSSWB@AOL.COM

REGION, June 30th- The union that represents nurses employed at the Community Medical Center (CMC) on Mulberry Street in Scranton is getting ready to begin contract negotiations for a successor agreement with the employer.

The Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Professionals (PASNAP) Union represents approximately 400 nurses employed at CMC and Terry Marcavage, PASNAP Staff Representative, met with the units negotiating committee at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Union District 87 building in Dunmore Borough on June 29th.

According to a nurse employed at the medical center that attended the meeting, the committee met with Ms. Marcavage to discuss tactics in negotiation meetings that will occur between the union and management.

Registered Nurses (RN’s) at the Scranton Medical Center have been represented by PASNAP, which is affiliated with the California Nurses Association International Union, since July 19th, 2007. The RN’s voted 209 for union representation to 117 against during a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election. A labor organization must receive 50 percent plus one of the voting employees to become their representative for the purpose of collectively bargaining. The CMC contract will expire on December 8th, 2010.

PASNAP, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, also represents approximately 440 nurses employed at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital on North River Street in Wilkes-Barre. Those workers have been without a contract agreement with the operators of the medical center since August 30th, 2009.

The CMC nurses voted to approve the first-time labor agreement with the employer in April 2008 more than nine months after voting for union representation with approximately eighty-two percent voting for the agreement.

CMC labor representation is Scranton Attorney Robert Ufberg.

The newspaper wanted to discuss future contract negotiations with Mr. Ufberg but he declined comment. Mr. Ufberg did return our phone call to his office, however, he did not want to comment publicly on upcoming contract negotiations. “I’m sorry Paul but I can’t comment on negotiations,” Mr. Ufberg said.

Because of a delay in achieving a first-time contract with CMC management, PASNAP conducted a public awareness compaign in late 2007 and early 2008. The campaign included sponsoring advestments on billboards and holding a labor rally at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.

July 2010, Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton edition of The Union News

Teamsters Union Local 773 members on strike against Hercules Cement

BY PAUL TUCKER
THEUNIONNEWSABE@AOL.COM

LEHIGH VALLEY, June 19th- Approximately 85 members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Union Local 773 in Allentown have been on strike since the morning of June 14th against Hercules Cement in Stockertown. The facility processes cement.

The two parties were not able to reach an agreement for a successor contract and the union members voted to strike the employer on June 12th.

According to a union official, the company is continuing to operate the facility at an dimished level with management personnel. He stated the company has not yet attempted to hire scabs to replace the striking workers.

Tim Groller, an Hercules employee, and plant steward for Local 773, stated the main reason the union members went on strike was because of proposals made by company officials regarding changes wanted in the agreement regarding contract language.

He stated the company wants management rights language that would allow them to transfer employees at will to other work. Their previous pact gives limited flexibility to move workers for emergency repairs or to cover other workers days off.

The striking workers are picketing the job site 24 hours a day and have been joined by other union members from throughout the Lehigh Valley.