Ron Panepinto Jewelers
Jim Stevenson
700 Sansom St. 215-923-1980
9371 ROOSEVELT BLVD. PHILADELPHIA, PA 19114 215-698-7000 JStevenson@ChapmanAutoGroup.com
www.PanepintoJewelers.com We Buy Gold & Diamonds
Serving Citywide Political, Labor, Legal and School Communities of Philadelphia
Vol. XI. No. 37 (Issue 502)
“The good things we do must be made a part of the public record”
Value 50¢
September 10, 2009
Labor Marks 21st Parade Celebration Despite Economic Blues
RANK-AND-FILE Union members lined up to hear speeches from dignitaries as they prepared to march in 21st annual Labor Day parade along Columbus Boulevard and Family Festival at Penn’s Landing. Day-long event drew 25,000 people.
The Heartbeat of Philadelphia Dr. Nicholas DePace M.D., F.A.C.C.
Returns Top Health Care To Those In Need Of The Best In Cardiac Medicine!! See Pages 13 - 20
Saluting Labor Philadelphia Public Record Invites You To Enjoy Labor Day Parade Pictures In This Issue
Labor Aims No Matter Pension Bill, To Defend 2016 Mayor’s In A Bind Its Gains Philadelphia’s organized labor demonstrated its intensity and determination to protect the decent wages earned by its rank and file by marching along the Delaware River waterfront in the annual celebration of Labor Day. The AFL-CIO, in co-sponsorship with the Tri-State Labor Committee, fielded an impressive crowd of well over 25,000 that paraded and then spent the rest of the morning and afternoon enjoying planned festivities, geared towards families, and live entertainment at Penn’s Landing. Firefighters Local 22 led the parade, followed by Teamster Locals, Sheet Metal Local 19, AFL-CIO float, SEIU, DC 1199C, DCs 33 and 47, Laborers Locals, IUPT DC 21, Iron Workers 401 and 405, Boilermakers 13, Steelworkers Local 100086, Joint Board Workers United, American Postal Workers, IBEW Local 614, CWA 13000, Newspaper Guild 10, PFT, Sprinkler Fitters Local 692, Machinists Local 1776, Elevator Constructors Local 5, Bakery Local 5, Insulators and Asbestos
(Cont. Page 8)
HB1828 started out as a piece of bailout legislation for the City of Philadelphia. As requested by Mayor Michael Nutter, it would allow the City to add another cent to its 7-cent sales tax. Then it would permit the administration to lessen its contributions to the City’s pension fund. Without these, the City would face drastic reductions in its employee force and the need to cut back on a number of vital services. The General Assembly agreed on the 1-cent sales-tax addition. It hasn’t settled on a pension plan, however. The Republican-dominated Senate’s latest version was debated hotly in the Democrat-controlled House. The Senate had injected language in the pension legislation before it was sent on to the House. That legislation, if passed, would deliver a lose-lose situation to Philadelphia. (Cont. Page 6)
School Bells Have Rung Joined by Mayor Michael A. Nutter, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and School Reform Commission Chairman Robert L. Archie Jr. ushered in the 2009-2010 school year this week with the traditional bell-ringing at the brand-new Fels HS at 5700 Langdon Street in Northeast Philadelphia. The school year will bring new initiatives and supports to School District facilities across Philadelphia in conjunction with the first phase of the
School District’s five-year strategic plan, Imagine 2014, which the SRC adopted in April 2009. Its five goals are student success, quality choices, great staff, accountable adults and world-class operations. “In keeping with the goals of Imagine 2014, the theme for our entire School District this year is ‘Imagine Greatness’,” said Ackerman during the ceremony. “That vision is grounded in the conviction that every
(Cont. Page 6)