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.