Phillylabor.com Launches New Website Blog

To the followers of this Temporary Philly Labor blogsite: I am excited to announce that our new website and blog at www.phillylabor.com is now live. We welcome those of you who have linked to this temporary blog site at www.phillylabor.blogspot.com to please visit and enjoy our new website and blog as we look forward to providing you and the entire Philadelphia area union community with a new upgraded and continually improving source for news, information and resources affecting Philadelphia area unions! Thus, we will no longer be utilizing this site. See you at www.phillylabor.com ! Sincerely, Joe Dougherty Jr. PhillyLabor.com

Do Unions Have a PR Problem?

Attention: Philadelphia area union community,######## I'm 47 years old and I've lived in Philadelphia my entire life. My father, Ironworkers Local 401 Business Manager Joseph J. Dougherty, has been a union member since I was a small child and a union official since I was 16 years old. Many of my family and friends are union members and I, myself, have been a member of Ironworkers Local 401 since 1982 when I was just 18 years old. It's been part of the fabric of my life since I can remember.######## As workers, we were taught to work hard and stand up for ourselves, our families, our union brothers and sisters, our contractors and especially for those pioneers who came before us who gave their blood, sweat, tears and for some their lives in order to establish the fair working conditions, benefits and wages that we now have today.######## As I've gotten older and have been fortunate enough to know and watch Philadelphia area labor movement leaders like Philadelphia Council President Pat Eiding and Philadelphia Building Trades President Pat Gillespie work passionately and with compassion every day on behalf of all Philadelphia area union members and their families so that each and every one of us has a shot to maintain a job, fair wages, working conditions and standards. Firsthand over the years, I have watched my own father and other union officials like him dedicate their lives tirelessly to their members and to the labor movement with no ulterior motives other than to procure work and maintain standards. This has recently had me asking myself, "If there are so many good people in the labor movement, why do we get such a bad rap?"######## Case in point, just a couple weeks ago on a scalding hot Father's Day afternoon as my wife and I were headed to ShopRite to pick up some last minute groceries to take to dad's, I saw IBEW Local #98 Business Manager John Dougherty (no relation to me) and #98 Business Rep Brian Stevenson along with several other Local #98 officials in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia demonstrating and handing out informational fliers to the general public to protest the hiring of non-union electrical workers to work at night by the shopping center. What was particularly inspiring was the fact that it was Father's Day afternoon in Roxborough and although he could have easily have sent his members, apprentices or retirees who lived in the area, John Dougherty was handing out the fliers himself with his other union reps. Maybe I'm weird like that, but to me, it gave me chills down my spine to see a high profile union leader like Johnny Doc walk the walk, grassroots style.######## As Johnny, Brian and company handed out the materials and spoke to the people, they did so in a very cordial and friendly manner. They were engaging and personable. There was no thugery, profanity or bullying going on whatsoever. Just some concerned men standing up for the standards and wages they have worked so hard to obtain on behalf of their members.######## What was amazing was the variety of different responses they evoked. Some people walked or drove by without paying notice, others stopped by or honked in support and yet others drove by shouting obscenities without really knowing what was going on. I couldn't believe one lady driving by shouting profanities without having a clue what was going on but you could just hear the venom in her tone.######## I remember as I looked at the lady angrily screaming profanities at the top of her lungs with little kids in her car, having not a clue what was actually going on, it reminded me once again of the growing sentiment in this country that has spread like a cancer, of people who just do not like unions. The more I thought about it, the more I wondered why people increasingly feel this way? I mean are they opposed to fair wages? Are they opposed to fair working conditions? Are they opposed to 40-hour work weeks or weekends off? If there are so many good people and causes behind the actions, how in the world did we become the bad guys?######## As I thought about, the only logical reason that I could come up with is, MAYBE IT'S ALL THEY SEE! Maybe it's because the 6 o'clock news shows large groups of people protesting without explaining the reasons, or maybe it's because the daily newspaper prints an unglamorous picture of a union leader as he rallies his members to vote to go on strike to keep their health and welfare benefits?######## As I thought about that, it became apparent that unions not only have an image problem, they have a PR problem. It seems now with all of the communication and PR resources available, that local unions would adapt and come out of the dark ages and start promoting themselves better like their big business and political counterparts. But currently only a small number of local unions use publicists or PR firms to enhance their images and even fewer aggressively use the often free tools available on the internet to do it themselves.######## Let's think about it for a second. Sure, pro-athletes, movie stars and the super rich etc. like to keep their good deeds and charitable endeavors private -- but they are already lauded by the general public for their celebrity. And even though they do from time to time, they don't need to promote their good deeds or image. On the other hand, unions, who are often ignorantly blasphemed and ridiculed for their efforts on behalf of working families, should make every effort to utilize the available PR resources to educate the general public about what we really do and what we are really about and much of the greatness that is bestowed within the union movement across the land.######## For example, I wonder if that woman who drove by screaming profanities in front of her kids knew whether or not the non-union workers that were hired to work at night at the shopping center were getting paid fair wages with benefits. I wonder if she knew that the men she was screaming at from IBEW #98 who were standing out in 95 degree heat on behalf of working families had also spent the entire morning since 5:30 AM volunteering at the Gary Papa Father's Day Prostate Cancer 5K Run. My guess is probably not!######## FACT: In the city of Philadelphia alone, union leaders, members and working families make up a large portion of the fabric of our communities. They also support and contribute to a wide variety of community and charitable endeavors too numerous to list that raise countless funds for the needy. Just off the top of my head, the aforementioned union leaders listed above alone are involved with charitable organizations ranging from the Delaware Vally Stroke Council to The Variety Club, the United Way and the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, just to name a few.######## BOTTOM LINE: In relative obscurity and without seeking the spotlight or pomp and circumstance, union leaders and members throughout Philadelphia have worked tirelessly for years to not only make Philadelphia and vicinity the number one union region in America but to also give back and make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate so that everyone has a shot at the American dream. I wonder if the majority of the general public has any idea of the positive impact the union community has made in the lives of so many? My guess is NO.######## WELL IT'S TIME FOR UNIONS TO USE THE SAME PR STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES THAT ARE USED AGAINST US TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT!!! PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE!######## Sincerely, Joe Dougherty, Jr. For PhillyLabor.com

Hospital workers union reaches deal with Jefferson, averting strike

BY Julie Shaw --- Daily News Staff Writer --- Philadelphia Daily News --- A STRIKE was averted Sunday morning when the union representing hundreds of employees — from nurses to housekeepers to clerical workers — reached a tentative settlement with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. If an accord had not been reached, hundreds of union members were expected to go on strike in front of the Center City hospital at 6 a.m. "We did not get everything, but everything major was achieved," Henry Nicholas, the president of District 1199C of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, said in a statement. The tentative settlement was reached at about 1 a.m. Sunday — an hour after the contract officially expired. The union said it achieved six-year contracts that included wage increases each year at Jefferson, Temple University Health System, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Hahnemann University Hospital. The contracts also kept intact benefit and pension packages at Jefferson, Temple and Hahnemann. Over the past week, the union also negotiated contracts with 10 nursing homes in the region; those contracts have already been ratified. On Sunday, the contracts with Jefferson, CHOP and Hahnemann were ratified by union members, said District 1199C Acting Executive Vice President Chris Woods. He said he expected the contract with Temple to be ratified by around 7 p.m. Sunday. "I'm just happy that both sides did the right thing and got an agreement," said Woods.

PhillyLabor.com Introduces the Ordinary Angels Foundation

PhillyLabor.com Introduces the Ordinary Angels Foundation to celebrate, amongst others, men and women of Labor who have made a difference in the lives of others. PhillyLabor.com is excited to introduce the Ordinary Angels Foundation, a newly formed organization that was created by PhillyLabor.com President and author of the book Ordinary Angels, Joe Dougherty, for the purpose of recognizing those special people who have made a difference in the lives of others including labor leaders. The Ordinary Angels Foundation celebrates a wide array of individuals from all walks of life including mentors/role models, coaches, teachers, counselors, labor leaders, political leaders, civic leaders, civil rights leaders, social leaders etc who through their passion, leadership and commitment have made a positive impact on others and society. In the coming months, Ordinary Angels will join forces with PhillyLabor.com to acknowledge the efforts of, amongst others, leaders of the labor movement, past and present, who have fought hard to obtain and maintain fair working conditions, standards and wages for their members. We welcome your participation, your feedback and even your suggestions for candidates who you may think are deserving of recognition by the Ordinary Angels Foundation. Sincerely, PhillyLabor.com Mgmt. NOTE: The Ordinary Angels Foundation, not only recognizes labor officials, but also rank and file members, activist organizations members, friends and supporters of the labor community who have made a positive difference within the labor movement.

Wine & Spirits Stores Poll

Wine & Spirits Stores Poll: Please take a minute to vote "no" in the latest poll and help send a clear message that we want to preserve jobs and revenue for PA, not find excuses to privatize. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq_ed_board/LCB-judge-Nice-work-if-you-can-get-it.html?ref=facebook.com From Philly.com

Kudos to John Dougherty, Brian Stevenson, Jim Snyder and IBEW Local #98

Kudos to IBEW #98 Business Manager John Dougherty as well as #98 Union Reps Brian Stevenson and Jim Snyder and IBEW Local #98 for "walking the walk" and spending their Father's Day demonstrating and doing what it takes to support union wages and standards and to get the word out that ShopRite in Roxborough is hiring non-union electrical workers to work at night! In Solidarity, PhillyLabor.com Mgmt - See Photos at: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3434687147769&set=a.2675545329698.2119857.1288152624&type=1&theater

Petition to Support District 1201

Help us get to 10,000 signatures on this online petition to support our brothers and sisters at District 1201: http://signon.org/sign/stop-the-right-wing-campaign?source=32BJ As you know, there is a lot on the line. Layoff notices have already been sent to 2,700 school workers. Tomorrow is our bargaining deadline, so this is an especially urgent moment. By making this final push we can help support the field activities planned today and tomorrow. Amazingly, we already have over 9,850 signatures on this petition. Please sign and share!

Petition To Support Wages & Standards of Philadelphia Building Trade Unions

Petition To Support Wages & Standards of Philadelphia Building Trade Unions

Please READ, SIGN and SPREAD THE WORD to interested union brothers, sisters, activist organizations and supporters: Attention: Philadelphia area union brothers, sisters, activist organizations and supporters, Currently member unions of the Philadelphia Building Trades Council are picketing the job sites located at 12th & Woods Streets as well as Rittenhouse Street & Wissahickon Avenue in Philadelphia, PA. There are currently non-union workers working on both job sites as independent contractors. The developer/general contractor on both job sites is Post Goldtex GP, LLC. The purpose of our protest is to protect the wages and benefits of the highly skilled men and women of the union construction industry throughout Philadelphia and vicinity. Make no mistake about this -- if not resolved, the outcome of this serious situation could negatively impact the FUTURE of the entire union construction industry throughout the Philadelphia area. TAKE ACTION: To Sign Our Petition, GO TO: http://www.change.org/petitions/office-of-the-controller-city-of-philadelphia-support-wages-standards-of-philadelphia-building-trade-unions# SEND A MESSAGE TO Alan Butkovitz, City Controller; City Council President Darrell L. Clarke; Keith Richardson - Commissioner, Department of Revenue; and Carlton Williams - Commissioner, Department of Licensing and Inspections that in the interest of protecting the wages and benefits of the highly skilled men and women of the union construction industry throughout Philadelphia and vicinity, we respectfully request that they confirm that Post Goldtex, GP, LLC, in their capacity as the "General Contractor" on the above-mentioned construction sites, is operating in compliance with all applicable Philadelphia ordinances as is required of all contractors in our city. TO SIGN OUR PETITION, GO TO:  http://www.change.org/petitions/office-of-the-controller-city-of-philadelphia-support-wages-standards-of-philadelphia-building-trade-unions# In Solidarity, Joseph J. Dougherty Business Manager, Iron Workers Local 401

Why Hire Union Workers?

Attention: Philadelphia Area Union Community

Why Hire Union Workers?

In an economy that has put a dent in everyone's pocketbook and with the cost of union labor often being substantially higher than that of non-union workers, in this day and age why should employers, project managers, etc. want to hire union workers instead of the cheaper alternative? Well, that is a question that each union member should always keep in mind the second they are hired to do a job.

FROM THE EMPLOYER'S PERSPECTIVE:

As a union employee, it is vital that one understands both sides of the issue including the challenges and objectives of the businesses and employers that hire you. The fact of the matter is that the goals of a business are to produce a quality product and/or provide a service, to operate as efficiently as possible and to generate profits. If an employer cannot accomplish those objectives, there is literally no reason to be in business. Now let's break it down a bit further and put yourself in the employer's shoes. As a business owner,  more often than not, you have risked your entire financial existence for your business. Therefore, in order to minimize the risk of losing everything and maximize your opportunity for success, you absolutely must run as efficiently as possible -- which means, in the most cost-conscious manner possible, you must purchase everything you need in order to do business and compete in your industry while at the same time hiring the most qualified staff/employees also in the most cost-effective manner possible.

Also, as a business owner, let's not forget the time it takes to operate your own business and the fact that with every new day tons of issues can and do arise that, if not handled properly, could eat away at potential profits or even put the business itself in jeopardy. This is why employees are the life blood of any successful business. In the professional arena, there are entire departments in companies, called HR/Human Resource Departments, that are dedicated to screening, interviewing and hiring employees to make sure the right people are hired for the job. It's a science that many companies pay a lot of money to perfect because they know that no matter how much they try, a business cannot succeed without the proper personnel. All of this brings us back to the question at hand: Why in the world would a business want to hire more expensive union workers?

FROM A UNION MEMBER'S PERSPECTIVE:

Being a part of a union often means that you are part of an organization that, through collective bargaining and good faith negotiations over many years, has secured positive conditions for their members that include fair wages, safe working conditions, healthcare benefits, retirement plans/annuities/401K and more.

BOTTOM LINE: GIVE 'EM A REASON TO "WANT" TO HIRE UNION! UNION QUALITY AND WORK ETHIC ARE WHY EMPLOYERS SHOULD WANT TO HIRE UNION WORKERS!

As proud union members, we need companies/employers to hire union workers because they "want" to hire us, not just because they have to. As union members we want to solidify and preserve the union standards that previous generations of union brothers and sisters have worked so hard to obtain for us by working harder, by building a better product, by providing a better service, by being better trained and more skilled than the non-union workers and BY SIMPLY BEING THE BEST WORK FORCE POSSIBLE  so that we can ensure our union standards now and into the future as our forefathers did for us. As union members, we need to have the pride to do the job better than the rest! The future of our industry depends on it!

TAKE ACTION:

Please feel free to respond, comment or to give your perspective on "Why Hire Union Workers?"

Sincerely,

Joe Dougherty
President, PhillyLabor.com

The Role of Unions and Their Members in Local Politics

There are many different opinions regarding the role of local unions and union members related to politics in today's political climate.  Some unions dedicate a large portion of their resources and man power to impact their local political stature and others are more passive.

However, one thing is for sure, as demonstrated by geographical regions throughout the United States, those regions whose unions/members are more active on the political front have a much higher success rate and presence in their communities than those that don't. Thus, the viability and the strength of any local union community goes hand in hand with it's political impact and presence.

In layman's terms, this is because local and state politicians and legislators are much more apt to consider the position of organized labor when confronted with issues such as "Rite to Work" type legislation if that local union community has committed themselves to a grassroots political movement that can actually impact the political landscape in their region.

LEADERSHIP

 As demonstrated in the Philadelphia region, it is vital for a local union movement to have active, knowledgeable and strong leadership at the top of the leadership ladder in order to keep large numbers of unions, many who have different industry related issues, active and moving in the same general direction.

Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO President, Pattrick Eiding is certainly an outstanding example of a labor leader who is more than dedicated to leading the local union movement in to the future. He is knowledgeable of the unique challenges and needs of the over 100 Philadelphia area local unions that he represents and has a tireless commitment to working with all of our local union leaders to keep them informed and focused on common goals and agendas.

RANK AND FILE UNION MEMBERS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

However, make no mistake about it, no matter how important is to have good leadership, it is the rank and file union members who ultimately have the strongest political impact particularly at the grass roots level. Without the members, the message can not be transmitted, the presence can not be felt and the votes can not be registered. Sure it's easy to sit back and rest on the efforts of others to relay the message, but it's the responsibility of each and every union member to keep abreast of their union's political agenda and at the same time be willing to contribute to carryout the agenda set forth by their union's leadership which further demonstrates the words of JFK in a slightly edited fashion, "Ask not what your "union" can do for you, ask what you can do for your "union" both in the work place and on the political landscape"! Our Future Literally Depends on it!

Joe Dougherty
PhillyLabor.com

Welcome to the Blogsite of PhillyLabor.com

Phillylabor.com is happy to announce the launch of our new blog which will feature updated news and information pertaining to the Philadelphia Labor community. Please join us by commenting and interacting to our posts with your own opinions and responses!


We look forward to stimulating interaction with all of our followers!

Sincerely,

PhillyLabor.com Mgmt