Hey all, please come out on Monday and support the Taxi Workers Alliance at the PPA board meeting. Check out the audio and video clips the Media Mobilizing Project produced below which explain the action.

The Taxi Workers Alliance of Pennsylvania (TWA) is calling drivers and concerned citizens to the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) Board Meeting at 3101 Market Street. The cabdrivers are attending the board meeting to demand that the PPA live up to its promise of removing the failing GPS systems from city cabs.

Video: Drivers Demand Accountability

Audio: Announcement of Monday Action

The city woke up to some good news in the Inquirer—Governor Rendell is evidently going to try to broke a compromise on the Convention Center labor dispute. So Council is not likely to adopt Frank DiCicco’s proposal to open the expansion of the Convention Center to non-union contractors

This is a tough issue for those of us who are both pro-labor and pro-minority. There is no question that many of the building trades have fewer minority and women members than they should, given the demographics of the city and region. And there is no question that racism is a main reason for these low numbers.

And yet, while I don’t doubt the good intentions of Frank DiCicco and the other supporters of this proposal, opening work at the Convention Center to non-union contractors is not a good solution, for many reasons.

Temple University Student Labor Action Project (SLAP) and Philly Jobs With Justice is asking for your support and solidarity.

RALLY/PRAYER CIRCLE
On December 11, 2007 from 3:00PM-4:00PM at Temple University (Sullivan Hall, 1330 W Berks St).

Temple Student Labor Action Project will gather to recognize International Human Rights Day and continue the escalation of tactics aimed towards the Temple Board of Trustees and Temple President, Anne Weaver Hart.

We have yet to get a straight answer from Temple administration about our demand for 5 sick days.
http://media.www.temple-news.com/media/storage/paper143/news/2007/09/11/...

Since then we have had a series of meetings:

As I write this, I'm watching an ABC News report about how there is food literally rotting in the field for the lack of illegal workers to harvest it. I mention this on YPP b/c one of the US' major mushroom-producing areas lies west of the city, in Kennett Square + roundabout.

OK, now, call me crazy, but if you can't hire enough illegal immigrant workers to harvest the food, shouldn't you, I don't know, actually hire citizens? Ja, you'd have to pay them living wages, rather than poverty wages, and this will likely raise food costs. But as a Wal-Mart documentary pointed out, there's a high cost to low prices.

-Z

September 7, 2007, Philadelphia, PA- 115 students, clergy, community activists and AlliedBarton security guards, the Philadelphia Officers and Workers Rising (POWR) Campaign, marched on the campus of Temple University. The rally gathered to demand a meeting with Temple University Administrators concerning the fact that more than 300 AlliedBarton security guards that work at the university lack any paid sick leave.

The clergy group was surprised to find when they went to deliver a letter about the situation to President Ann Weaver Hart’s office that Sullivan Hall had been locked and was guarded by armed Temple Police Officers. Though many workers were still in the building, and possibly in violation of Philadelphia Fire Codes, the main entrances to Sullivan Hall were locked and fortified.

Union members will begin to gather at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall on Columbus Blvd. and Washington Ave. at 8 a.m. Pat Eiding, president of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, will kick off the speaking program at 9 a.m.

This year, we’ll be joined by Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Bill George and National AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. On Labor Day, President Sweeney will kick off the AFL-CIO's campaign for health care for all.

So, whether you come to march or simply watch the parade, come out Monday to celebrate our union movement.

PARADE DETAILS:
Sheet Metal Workers Local 19
1301 S. Columbus Blvd.
Monday, Sept. 3
Gather: 8 a.m.
Program: 9 a.m
Parade: 10 a.m.

FESTIVAL DETAILS:
Penn's Landing Great Plaza
Market St. and Columbus Blvd.
Monday, Sept. 3
11 a.m.--3 p.m.

Call 215-665-9800 or go to www.phillyunions.com