AFSCME DC47 will conduct their annual Secretary-Treasurer training on Saturday, April 28th. The training is for all Local Treasurers’, Trustees and interested union members. You will need to RSVP to Lauren Bucci (215-893-3715) by April 20th.
Councilwoman Helen Gym and DC 47 VP Ethelind Baylor
City Council members Gym, Squilla, Parker, Reynolds Brown, Henon and Green co-signed this resolution
RESOLUTION
Affirming the strong support of the City of Philadelphia for public sector workers whose rights and freedoms are threatened as the Supreme Court considers Janus v. AFSCME, and recognizing the important role unions play in raising standards for all workers.
WHEREAS, It is our belief that all families should have the means to thrive in safe and healthy communities; and
WHEREAS, The working people who make the City of Philadelphia run must have stable, well-paying jobs that can support families; and
WHEREAS, Over the last forty years, working people have become more productive than ever, yet wages have declined and CEOs continue to earn more than ever before: 347 times more than the average person; and
WHEREAS, Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, where he marched and rallied in support of city sanitation workers on strike to demand their dignity, their humanity, and their union be recognized; and
WHEREAS, Those Memphis sanitation workers, who Philadelphia City Council honored in Resolution No. 180088, carried signs proclaiming “I AM A MAN” and struggled for basic freedoms: the freedom from discrimination, the freedom from degrading work conditions, the freedom to come together in strong unions to improve their place of work. To do justice to their commitment and tenacity, we must continue to do justice to all public sector workers, and especially those who are people of color; and
WHEREAS, Today, as economic inequality has grown and the ability for workers to organize has come increasingly threatened, workers across the City of Philadelphia and the country struggle for those same basic freedoms and a high quality of life for their families; and
City of Philadelphia
WHEREAS, Being able to participate in unions gives all of us – particularly women and people of color – a powerful voice in speaking up for ourselves, our families, and our communities, and ensures that each worker in the City of Philadelphia is treated with dignity, respect, and appreciation; and
WHEREAS, Those who have harnessed the power of collective action have won major victories like the 40-hour work week, overtime pay, and health and safety standards, as well as advanced policies especially important to women like paid leave, earned sick time, and reducing the gender pay gap; and
WHEREAS, When people can negotiate together for strong contracts, higher wages, and safer, dignified working conditions, all of us benefit, our communities are stronger, and our entire economy is made more fair; and
WHEREAS, As the US Supreme Court considers the case Janus v. AFSCME, which may decide whether those who work for the good of the public – such as nurses, teachers and firefighters – would be denied the freedom to unify and fight for equity, the City of Philadelphia must uphold its protection of the workers that run our City; and
WHEREAS, An unfavorable decision in this case would undermine the freedom for millions of working people, especially women and communities of color, to fight for high wages and meaningful protections; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Affirms the
commitment of the City of Philadelphia to supporting public sector workers whose rights and freedoms are threatened as the Supreme Court considers Janus v. AFSCME, and recognizes the important role unions play in raising standards for all workers.
 On Wednesday, March 7, at 5 p.m. EST, we will host a discussion with women leaders on the pervasive harassment both women and men confront at work and strategies to fight back. To have a meaningful conversation, we need to hear from you about the issues you face. You can do this by submitting a question via videoby 6 p.m. EST on Tuesday, March 6. We will be joined by AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler, Jobs With Justice Executive Director Sarita Gupta and National Women’s Law Center President Fatima Goss Graves. Please also join the conversation by watching the live broadcast through AFSCME’s Facebook page at 5 p.m. EST on Wednesday. The #MeToo movement has brought much-needed public attention to the subject of workplace sexual harassment. AFSCME has long been at the forefront in the fight for equality on the job — including an end to the culture of pervasive harassment. This is an opportunity for members to get answers and advice on dealing with and preventing sexual harassment, on protecting your rights on the job, and continuing our fight for equality in the workplace. Please join us by submitting your questions and watching the live stream at 5 p.m. EST this Wednesday, March 7. Thank you for all that you do. Lee Saunders Elissa McBride |
In advance of the Supreme Court’s hearing of Janus vs. AFSCME Council 31, challenging public sector unions’ right to collect fees from their members, union members and supporters rallied in center city Philadelphia.
Congressman Dwight Evans, AFSCME District 1199C Pres. Henry Nicholas, PFT Pres. Jerry Jordan, Councilwoman Helen Gym and AFSCME District Council 47 Pres. Fred Wright were there.
Decent health care. Better pay and benefits. Dignity and a voice. There are plenty of reasons to join a union today. But many people don’t have a union where they work. That’s why we have to join together and find power through organizing.
AFSCME organizers are committed to helping workers gain power on the job. Explore this section of the site to see if you have what it takes and to learn about a job as an AFSCME organizer.
Organizing isn’t easy. It takes guts to stand up for our rights on the job. It takes lots of one-on-one conversations at work and at home to build our organization. It takes talented and committed organizers who know the ropes and are willing to work hard.
But it’s also rewarding. When we stick together, have faith and overcome fear, we are an inspiration to our families and our communities.
When we win — and there’s no feeling like it — we make the world a better place for all.
What it takes: