This past week in northeast Philadelphia, several hundred union members from various unions gathered at the Sprinkler Fitters Local 692 Hall, coordinated through the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, for its Saturday labor walk. The walks are organized to canvass the city and educate union members at their homes by dropping off materials so they can make an informed decision in this year’s presidential election.
Watch the video here.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) came to the hall to speak to all the members and thank them for their work educating union members.
“The same Supreme Court that took away a 49-year right for women would easily take away the right to organize a union established 80 years ago,” said Casey. “We have to remind them the right to organize a union is on the ballot this election.”
The Pennsylvania State Council of Machinists has endorsed Casey for his reelection to the Senate. This year, IAM and other union members also have two presidential and vice presidential candidates to choose from on the ballot.
The two tickets are ideologically opposite on labor issues and worker rights. Candidates Trump and Vance would be fine firing striking workers not paying overtime to workers, and both have crossed picket lines. On the other hand, the IAM-endorsed candidates Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have both walked picket lines and support the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
One of the unionists participating was retired IAM Local 796 Eastern Airlines ramp serviceman Paul Baicich, a dedicated unionist who came to canvass the area.
“This is the most important election in my lifetime,” said Baicich. “Electing pro-Labor candidates is extremely important. It’s all on the line, and people need to vote! “
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