We joined union brothers and sisters from across Pennsylvania and traveled to Harrisburg on Tuesday, Jan. 28, to deliver a message to Governor Tom Corbett and anti-worker legislators in the Capitol. The message? “We are one!”
Workers and our supporters packed the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday morning in a show of solidarity against proposed legislation that aims to take away public sector workers’ voices at their workplaces and in Harrisburg. House Bill 1507 and Senate Bill 1034 are “Right to Work”-style legislation, written by the anti-worker American Legislative Exchange Council and funded by conservative groups like the Commonwealth Foundation and the out-of-state billionaire Koch brothers.
While workers and supporters shared their stories of union pride and solidarity inside the rotunda, hundreds more filled the street outside in single digit temperatures, chanting and clamoring to be heard. Many in the crowd called Tuesday’s gathering the largest worker rally they had ever seen in Pennsylvania.
Public sector workers who would be affected by this legislation were not the only ones standing against it on Tuesday, police and firefighters, as well as several trade unions joined in the rally, making it clear that an attack on one is an attack on us all.
“We are here to save the middle class,” said Father Jack O’Malley, who offered a blessing for workers in their time of struggle.
Among Tuesday’s many speakers was SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania member Rita Treager, an RN from Westmoreland Manor. Rita shared her struggle to advocate for her residents and her coworkers and how our union makes that advocacy more powerful. She warned of what HB 1057 and SB 1034 would mean for those she cares for.
“I think it would pretty much silence us as nurses as to having any say as to our working conditions and advocating for our residents,” said Rita.
Following the rally, Rita and other members made visits to their legislators to ask them in person to oppose HB1507 and SB 1034 and also to support expanding Medicaid in Pennsylvania.
If you missed joining your fellow workers in Harrisburg on Tuesday, you can still stand with them against this anti-worker legislation. Call your legislator today or email them and let them know they need to vote NO on HB 1507 and SB 1034.