Meeting shows support for unions
JACKSON TWP — Catherine Lalonde, county Democratic Committee chairwoman, told a group of Pennsylvania union workers and politicians Friday that organized labor is facing a threat.
“We've seen a real anti-union movement, and, if we don't do something to support unions, soon there will be too few to really stand anymore,” she said.
At “United We Stand,” a Friday meeting of Democratic state politicians and union workers at the Steamfitters Technology Center on Wise Road, the groups spoke on the importance of unions, their role in the region and how to best protect them.
“We need to elect people who will support unions and we want to see them grow and get people to realize that having people who are paid well is good for the economy,” Lalonde added.
Kenny Broadbent, business manager for Steamfitters Local 449, pointed to the ethylene cracker plant in Beaver County as one way organized labor benefits surrounding communities.
He said the Steamfitters training center was built in 2017 as a result of Shell erecting a plant in the neighboring county and, as a result of an increased interest in the trades, the loan for the $18.5 million, 75,000-square-foot building was paid in full Oct. 5. This is through a fund maintained by $1 per hour worked by union workers.
The event, hosted by the county Democratic Committee and County Commissioner Kevin Boozel, also provided a platform for that party's candidates in the November General Election to speak on labor, an issue each said was important to them.
Amanda Green-Hawkins said while the position for which she is running — a seat on Pennsylvania Superior Court — does not hear labor disputes, she would incorporate her background as a union member and a labor attorney in that role.
“How I can help labor is by helping and making sure that the voices of working people, working families are at the table when decisions are made in our judicial system,” she said.
Bob Dandoy, a candidate for Butler City Council, said his family's involvement with unions has guided his views on the labor issue, and he would try to bring in more union jobs to the city. He said he wants to make Butler an attractive city in which big businesses invest.
“We have the workforce, and they are hardworking people in that area,” Dandoy added. “But we just have to make sure that everybody else knows that, and that they want to move their jobs to Butler County.”
Candidates who plan to run in 2020 spoke on the importance of organized labor in their lives and political views.
State Rep. H. Scott Conklin, D-Centre County, who may vie for the auditor general position next year, said he has had to spend much of his career in the Statehouse working with politicians who don't support organized labor.
“They do have a belief of their own, and their belief is that working people shouldn't have benefits. The belief is that working people shouldn't have days off, and the belief is that working people shouldn't be able to make a good income,” he added.
A Democratic challenger to Mike Kelly's U.S. House seat, Kristy Gnibus, said she owed much of her career to unions and would fight for them. The Millcreek Township, Erie County, teacher also encouraged attendees to vote in the upcoming municipal elections.
“If you want to maintain having a strong union, first and foremost we really need to make sure we get out and vote,” she said. “These local and state elections are exceptionally crucial.”
Loretta Spielvogel, a Democratic nominee for Lawrence County commissioner, said she was encouraged by primary voting results.
“It was by a slight margin, but in the primaries the Democrats actually outvoted the Republicans, so I think that is something that we will hope will compound and snowball into the fall and get the Democratic leaders in there that we need because we have been stagnant and we need to move forward,” she said.
Before Broadbent gave a tour of the union's training facility, Boozel issued a call to action.
“You got to hear a common threat here. Now it's about getting it done,” he said. “You've got to get people out there for you (and) for them.”
