Resolution 170319

..Title Urging the Pennsylvania state legislature to reject S.B. 166 due to the bills' negative impact on the ability of public sector unions to effectively advocate on behalf of their membership. ..Body WHEREAS, Unions have played a crucial role in raising the standard of living for members and non-members alike, using the power of advocacy and collective action to transform the relationship between employers and employees. The gains accrued through union advocacy include better healthcare coverage, higher wages, improved worker safety and workplace conditions, and a more secure retirement; and WHEREAS, Unions have played a particularly prominent role in lifting up the working-class families of Philadelphia and giving back to the communities that their members call home; and WHEREAS, S.B. 166 aims to prevent public sector unions from using voluntary contributions by members to advocate. The result would be to eliminate ability of unions to advocate on behalf of members in the public sphere, effectively muting the voice of many of Pennsylvania's working families; and WHEREAS, If public sector unions are deprived the resources necessary to stand up for their members, unions will likely see a marked decline in their political and legal fortunes, as their voice in city, county and state government will be greatly diminished; and WHEREAS, Unions have historically provided workers with robust protection against unfair employment practices, and their advocacy has helped to lift the standard of living for millions of Americans. S.B. 166 will severely hamper unions' ability to effectively represent working class families and continue that mission; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Council hereby urges the Pennsylvania state legislature to reject S.B. 166 and 167 due to the bills' negative impact on the ability of public sector unions to effectively advocate on behalf of their membership. ..End