Thank you, Mr. Backer, for your comments. Would the Chief Clerk please read the name of our next speaker.
Jumping to the top of the list, Madam Chair, we have Glen Bryan, commenting on 200155 [sic].
Thank you. Good morning, Glen Bryan. Are you connected and ready to proceed?
Thank you so very much. Just state your name for the record and proceed with your comments.
Okay. My name is Glen Bryan and I am here to just provide testimony for the late, great Elsie Wise, Stated Meeting 76 3/3/2022 community leader, and I'm really here to really echo previous comments and commendations regarding the tireless work on the ground by our late, great, terrific community leader, Elsie Wise. I worked with her for about three decades almost, and we applaud at the University of Pennsylvania her work -- and all of West Philadelphia, her work to provide quality of life improvements in a community and work with the youth that started the West Powelton Steppers, which are now the Sixers Drum Team. I'm not quite sure of the title of them, but the success of her work bringing youth in her community into productive activities was immeasurable. So I'd like to -- the family, I wish the family, you know, continued prayers, and she will always be remembered and have a place in our heart and has made an indelible impression for so many in West Philadelphia. That concludes my remarks. Stated Meeting 77 3/3/2022
Thank you so very much for your comments, Mr. Bryan. Are there any other speakers, Mr. Decker?
Many, Madam Chair. The next speaker is William Carter, commenting on 200051-A [sic].
Good morning, Mr. Carter. Are you connected and ready to proceed?
Yes, we can. Just state your name for the record and proceed with your comments.
William Carter, Vice President of Local Government Affairs for the Chamber of Commerce. Thank you, Madam Chair Parker and members of Council, for allowing me to testify regarding Bill 220051. Let me first say, Regina A. Stated Meeting 78 3/3/2022 Hairston of the African American Chamber hit the nail on the head. She was very succinct and eloquent when she testified, and I just have to give kudos to her on that. Although we appreciate the sponsor's commitment to the safety of our community, I have been getting steady e-mails and calls that as recently amended, this bill would still have a damaging impact on 3,000 hard-working small business owners and the jobs that comes with them. As most of these businesses have been justifiably exempted from prior versions passed during the height of the pandemic, this bill, although I'm sure very well meaning, has issues. But the primary one is the sponsor's lack of due diligence in this regard. In just over a month from introduction to hearing to now, the sponsor has raced this bill to final passage with extremely little Stated Meeting 79 3/3/2022 conversation with stakeholders, extremely little consideration of the actual ramifications on the City as a whole, and with very little diligence. Speaking for the Chamber, who represents 1,700 businesses, the majority of which are small and mid-sized businesses, we were afforded two short Zoom calls, one on the Friday before the hearing with really no back and forth and another with the Diverse Chambers and PRLA, and even those meetings were held at the behest of our organizations in the short amount of time provided. You know, that's simply not diligence. As far as the bill as amended, it still adversely affects approximately 3,000 small businesses still affected between 25 and 50 employees. Many have more than one location or more than one type of business, and it's clear this is not the same bill from 2020 that was enacted during the height of the emergency. Stated Meeting 80 3/3/2022 Prior iterations of this policy either exempted small businesses of this size or acknowledged federal acts as a tax credit that helped cover the costs. This legislation does neither. You can go up and down any commercial corridor in the City, like I have and I do on a weekly basis, and see which vibrant storefronts closed down. Each of those boarded-up or empty establishments represent a number, any number, of jobs. I've heard the stories from prior (unintelligible) locations after doing two years of unimaginable hardship due to the pandemic. They are hopeful that with the rising vaccination counts and decreasing counts of infected people that people will even come back and patronize them so they can recover, grow, and hire more employees. Particularly during this recovery period in order to grow our economy, reduce poverty, maintain quality Stated Meeting 81 3/3/2022 services, and make our city safer, many of you know we have to grow jobs and businesses in Philadelphia. So we're once again thankful for Council's commitment to the safety of our community. Please know that this is only the (unintelligible) community and going through great lengths to ensure customer safety and confidence. However, Philadelphia's hard-working business owners are asking for your consideration and understanding of the current state of the city. Too many are leaving and taking the jobs with them. I worked at City Council 16 years and can admit that I used to think that a lot of them were crying wolf, but I can assure you this is not the case. Therefore, we and other business chambers and organizations are kindly asking that this legislation either be tabled or omitted to effect these very real circumstances. Thank you, Madam Chair. Stated Meeting 82 3/3/2022
Thank you, Mr. Carter. Would the Chief Clerk please read the name of our next speaker.
Good morning. You are connected. Just state your name for the record and proceed with your comments.
Great. Thank you. Good morning, everyone. My name is Nicole Levy. I'm in Councilmember Gauthier's district. I'd like to thank Derek Green for his leadership and vision. I support the bill to create a Philadelphia Public Financial Authority to serve as a platform to the City as it reclaims ownership of its financial well-being. Stated Meeting 83 3/3/2022 The Fair Housing Act was passed in 1968, the first in a wave of financial civil rights legislation, which included the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, and the Community Reinvestment Act. Yet the racial wealth divide in this country has not budged an inch over the past 50 years. The financial system is broken. It is flawed. It is stacked against our communities. For the past 50 years, the financial system has focused exclusively on its own dumb biggering. Industry talks about the legacy of redlining while redlining huge swaths of our city every year. If Black home loan applicants were approved at the same rate as White home loan applicants, Philadelphia would have received an additional 62 million in home loan investment in 2020 alone. The numbers are even worse for small business lending. We must reclaim control over Stated Meeting 84 3/3/2022 our own financial wellbeing, because here's what we need to realize: We may be tagged as America's poorest large city, but we are also wealthy beyond our imagination. Quarterly data published by the FDIC shows that we in Philadelphia have 607 billion, billion dollars sitting in the bank right now. At least 85 percent of that money is held by corporate entities that are not local to our city and are not the least bit aware of or concerned with our community needs. The business of banking is simple - take money in and lend it out at interest to cover costs and earn profit. With our 607 billion, banks have invested just 17 billion in home lending and a negligible 308 million in small business loans in 2020. That is not prudent financial planning for our city. As a city, we've given our purse and our entire bank over to outsiders who have no vested interest in seeing us thrive. Reclaiming control Stated Meeting 85 3/3/2022 over our finances, actually holding some of these numbers in our hand to take account of this city and its vast wealth, this is the starting point, the first step towards imagining and then realizing a prosperous future for all of Philadelphia's neighborhoods. Thank you for voting today to approve the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Levy, for your comments. Chief Clerk, please read the name of our next speaker.
The next speaker, Madam Chair, is Erendira Zamacona Solano. Translating for Ms. Solano is Carly Pourzand.
Thank you so very much. Good morning. Are you connected and ready to proceed?
Hi. I'm Carly Pourzand. Eren is going to be reading Stated Meeting 86 3/3/2022 her testimony in Spanish and I'll share her testimony in English afterwards.
Okay. Thank you. Just please state her name for the record and proceed with the comments.
Yes, please. And just for the benefit of the viewing public along with our colleagues, because translation support was needed, we will sort of measure this as two commenters relative to time. So thank you all for your patience as it relates to the leeway being provided here. Please proceed.
Okay. Thanks. Hello. Good morning. My name Stated Meeting 87 3/3/2022 is Erendira Zamacona. I'm a member of El Comite de Trabajadorxs and an organizer with 215 People's Alliance. I am the mother of three beautiful children and I was a restaurant worker for 14 years. Today I represent all essential workers in the restaurant industry and ask you, dear Councilmembers, to pass emergency paid sick leave, Bill No. 220051. I have had to work several times when I was sick. I was never able to have paid sick days, but I was wrongfully fired by my boss. I remember when one of my children was sick, I couldn't send them to school. I asked my boss for permission to be absent and take care of my sick son, and I clearly remember the owner saying, I don't care about your personal problems, the business can't stop just because of your absence. If you don't show up for work, you don't have a job anymore. I still haven't forgotten my Stated Meeting 88 3/3/2022 boss's words. I also heard from my comrades at El Comite who have experienced the same thing. For us immigrants, we do not have benefits or medical insurance. We have to survive with a minimum payment of $7.25. We need two jobs, because the bills don't stop. If you, my dear councilors, support us and approve this bill, we will feel protected, valued, and respected as workers and as human beings, and we will be worthy of working safely, and together we can take care of this beautiful City of Philadelphia. You as human beings are as valuable as we are as essential workers, and I trust in you and in God and I put a lot of faith that you will not turn your back on us and you will support us. Thank you.
Thank you so very much for your comments. Will the Chief Clerk please Stated Meeting 89 3/3/2022 read the name of our next speaker.
Good morning, Bennett. Are you connected and ready to proceed?
Okay. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your comments.
Great. My name is Bennett Warker. I'm speaking in support of the COVID-19 paid sick leave Bill No. 220051. I'm a restaurant worker in the City of Philadelphia and I was very, very excited to hear about the upcoming vote on Councilmember Brooks' paid sick leave bill in the City Council. So I'm coming from a place where one of my co-workers contracted COVID-19 during beginning of the Omicron surge, and during this time, she did the Stated Meeting 90 3/3/2022 right thing and she contacted our fellow workers, management, told everyone that she had tested positive and that she had exposed a bunch of our co-workers. Management was completely indifferent to this and told everyone that they were supposed to come in, even though this was before Christmas and they knew that many of us were about to go see our family, many of them elderly, many of them immunocompromised at various points of risk. And without comprehensive sick leave, we were unable to avoid the workplace for fear of losing our jobs entirely. Predictably, many employees came to work and later tested positive and the virus ripped through our restaurant, at one point infecting nearly every manager at the same time. This bill is extremely important to me and my co-workers for a multitude of reasons. First, workers are human beings. I cannot believe that Stated Meeting 91 3/3/2022 we've spent years talking about us as essential workers, as heroes, as this and that, and we are going to turn our backs on workers and deny them one of the most important crucial things, paid sick leave. How are we going to go through two years of a pandemic and not award workers one of the most rudimentary benefits and protections against this virus? Secondly, sick leave is extremely important in restaurants specifically. We work in very small spaces. We don't want to be spreading germs and illness through the food that we serve to our customers or fellow co-workers. We should not have to choose between spreading sickness or our paychecks. Third, and most importantly, this bill is coming just in time when the vaccine mask mandates have been lifted, without input from workers, who just last month were dealing with extremely high Stated Meeting 92 3/3/2022 levels of a wildly contagious pathogen. This pandemic is still not over, and paid sick leave is one of the most effective ways that we can finally bring this pandemic to an end. It will make a world of difference to workers across the City. We are all expectantly watching these votes. Regardless of how the pandemic is forming and how it's moving, this pandemic has shown a light on the fact that workers need comprehensive paid sick leave. We need this very, very badly. Thank you to Councilmember Brooks for listening to the voices of workers across the City.
Thank you so very much for your comments. Will the Chief Clerk please read the name of our next speaker.
Mr. Simpson, are you connected and ready Stated Meeting 93 3/3/2022 to proceed?
Thank you so very much. Just state your name for the record and proceed with your comments.
Hi. My name is Charlie Simpson and I'm speaking in support of the COVID-19 paid sick leave Bill No. 220051. I'm a restaurant worker in the City of Philadelphia. I was excited to hear about the upcoming vote on Councilmember Brooks' paid sick leave bill in the City Council. In January, I was sick with COVID and I notified my co-workers and managers on the same day that I tested positive, and I, of course, had to take over a week off of work, and at my restaurant, sick leave benefits are difficult to quality for. My restaurant workers -- many restaurant workers cannot afford to lose that amount of income. Stated Meeting 94 3/3/2022 Predictably, many employees came into work and later tested positive around the same time, and a significant portion of the staff was infected. Working in the food industry is one of the most common jobs in Philadelphia, and this bill could help us on the front lines of COVID tremendously. Everyone gets sick. We deserve to have the support we need to afford life in a pandemic. Sick leave is extremely important in restaurants specifically. We handle food and things that everyone touches. We don't want to be spreading germs and illness to the food that we serve to customers or our fellow co-workers. We should not have to choose between getting sick or spreading sickness or getting paid. This bill is coming just in time when the vaccine mask and mandates have been lifted. The pandemic is still not over, and paid sick leave would make a world of difference to workers across Stated Meeting 95 3/3/2022 the City, and we're all watching the votes. Thank you, Councilmember Brooks, for listening to the voices of the workers in the City.
Thank you so very much for your comments. Chief Clerk, can you please read the name of our next speaker.
Sarah Johnson, good morning. Are you -- okay. You are connected and ready to proceed. So please just state your name for the record and proceed with your comments.
Hello. My name is Sarah Johnson and I was working within a Philadelphia restaurant until December 2021. I'm speaking on behalf of the COVID-19 paid sick leave Bill No. 220051. And this is imperative during the time that we're living in. While working at the Stated Meeting 96 3/3/2022 restaurant, I saw so many examples of how workers' health, safety, and wellbeing were put at risk, both in relation to COVID and otherwise. In late December, our staff was hit with a wave a COVID that affected nearly everyone, most likely as a result of the company holiday parties. And despite large numbers of the attendees testing positive, management was not empathetic. They were barely willing to accept that people need to quarantine. They were willing to cut corners in order to remain fully staffed over the holidays. And they did not tell us to get tested and they did not prioritize the health of workers or guests as a result. Besides COVID-related risks, the restaurant made it clear that they did not care about our needs or our safety or otherwise. One of my co-workers was in a car accident last year right at the beginning of his shift, Stated Meeting 97 3/3/2022 and despite all of our co-workers pressing for him to be able to stay home and get rest, management forced him to come to work that day. Later that year, we had a flood in the restaurant where sewage backed up, and the main floor was flooding and the kitchen was flooding and they did not tell the guests, and workers still had to work through sewage conditions, and they were not willing to close down (unintelligible) following that event despite the serious health hazards and consequences. Other than that, they were always very irresponsible in terms of staffing. They made workers who were part time working work full-time hours. They were antagonistic when we weren't willing to work double shifts just because they weren't responsible (unintelligible). Restaurants make it clear that they only care about profit, even at the Stated Meeting 98 3/3/2022 expense of the health and safety of their employees and their patrons. Emotions like that of the paid sick leave bill are the only way to ensure that establishments are held accountable for treating their workers right. Thank you.
Thank you so very much for your comments. Can you please read the name of our next speaker.
Good morning. Are you connected and ready to proceed, Jackie Wiggins?
Thank you. Just state your name for the record and proceed with your comments.
Okay. My name is Jacqueline Wiggins. I'm a senior citizen, community activist, and Stadium Stated Meeting 99 3/3/2022 Stomper. I am providing testimony referencing Bill 220051 having to do with businesses providing paid sick leave for full- and part-time workers. First of all, the COVID pandemic has not halted. People are still coming down with COVID even though some people based on their health status may experience less severity. COVID cannot be treated lightly. The bill must pass, even though it has moved from providing paid leave to employers with 10 employees to 25 or more, to assist an employee with self-care, care for family members suffering from COVID and must self-isolate, or provide care for a child or children if a school should close and there is no available childcare, et cetera. This pandemic has dealt a crushing blow to every human being in this city and beyond. Those who have experienced COVID are human beings who Stated Meeting 100 3/3/2022 come from families, and this includes business owners. Adjustments have to be made in families when a crisis or tragedy occurs. So too, with one of the foundations of our city and nation's economy, those in businesses. But no one understands this. Business owners come from families too. Imagine having a sick worker who may or may not know his or her status with respect to COVID encountering a senior citizen in the workplace like myself. I am vulnerable to that worker's unknown, possibly untreated, recovering inefficiently COVID situation. I need some assurances from business owners that my health will not be compromised nor endangered from a sick staff member. I understand that our City of Philadelphia (unintelligible) poverty. Can I continue? Could some of that poverty exist because of limited visioning on the part of our elected officials? What is Stated Meeting 101 3/3/2022 the dilemma? If the usual statement is going to be that people don't understand business, news flash, the people who make business work are people like myself and every other everyday taxpaying resident who purchase the goods and services for what they want and need, because we, the people, make businesses work. Not providing paid sick leave to vulnerable employees is (unintelligible) 220051. Thank you.
Thank you so very much for your comments. Would the Chief Clerk please read the next name of our next speaker.
Tureka Dixon, are you connected and ready to proceed?
Okay. Just state your name for the record and proceed with your comments.
Yes. My name is Tureka Dixon and I am here to support Women's History Month and its Resolution 220171. I am a glazer at District Council 21. I'm also a member of Women in Nontraditional Trades, WINC, Steering Committee, and I am here just to speak on behalf of women being underrepresented in nontraditional careers, and I am here to just put the word out there and to let everyone know that we have to continue to get the word out there. We have to continue to support programs such as MALWIC (ph) and WIC, who are trying to get the message out there to get more women into nontraditional trades. And I'm just committed and wanted to do whatever I can to increase the advancement of women in nontraditional careers. Stated Meeting 103 3/3/2022
Thank you so very much. Tureka, that didn't conclude your comments, did it?
Okay. All right. I wasn't sure. I heard a pregnant pause. Okay. Thank you so very much for your comments. Would the Chief Clerk please read the name of our next speaker.
Okay. Thank you. You are connected. Just state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony -- comments.
My name is Nicole Fuller. I'm the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Area Project on Occupational Safety and Health, better known as PhilaPOSH. First, let me say Stated Meeting 104 3/3/2022 good morning to Councilmembers and a special thank you to Councilmembers Gilmore Richardson, Quinones-Sanchez, and Council Chair Parker. I'm speaking in support of Resolution 220170 to recognize March 6th through the 13th of this year as Women in Construction Week and honoring Women in Nontraditional Careers, better known as WINC. As one of the founding members of WINC, I am very proud of the work that we are doing in the City. Folks may not be aware that women represent just a small percentage of employees in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and transit. You have 3 percent of women in construction, 29 percent in manufacturing, but those jobs are usually the low paid assembly work, and 2 percent in SEPTA, which is our transit agency. These career pathways pay well and they can provide financial security and a way for workers to take care of Stated Meeting 105 3/3/2022 their families. Women are not given a fair share of these opportunities. These industries have made progress in their outreach to women, but still these career pathways are often out of sight and out of reach and out of mind. WINC has a very diverse Steering Committee that's very important to us. It includes global tradeswomen from SEPTA and the building trades, a manufacturing apprenticeship intermediary, a representative from the local Philadelphia AFL-CIO Council, Insulators Union, workforce board and staff. Like I said, I'm very proud of us. We have accomplished a lot since 2018 when we were founded. You can find resources at our website, WINCproject.org. We are very active on social media where we highlight local tradeswomen in the City of Philadelphia. I want to thank you this morning for allowing me to speak and Stated Meeting 106 3/3/2022 appreciate every consideration you are affording adopting our -- in adopting this resolution. Thank you.
Thank you so very much, Nicole Fuller, for your comments. Will our Chief Clerk please read the name of our next speaker.
Karen Masino, are you connected and ready to proceed? Good morning. (No response.)
She just dropped off the line, Madam Chair. The next speaker is Tanjan Hebron, commenting on 220170.
Tanjan, good morning. Are you connected and ready to proceed?
Yes, I can hear you. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your comments.
Yes. Good morning. My name is Tanja Hebron. I am a first-class construction equipment operator with SEPTA for 28 and a half years. I'm also involved in the tradeswomen of SEPTA and I'm on the committee, Steering Committee, of WINC, W-I-N-C, which stands for Women in Nontraditional Careers. So I'm calling you for support of Resolution 220170, and I believe that, like Nicole Fuller said, we make up a small percentage when it comes to nontraditional careers and we're trying to change that. We need more women, because we can do the work. We do it well, and we look good doing it. We need more support as far as training and programs. So I hope that with this bill -- this resolution, it Stated Meeting 108 3/3/2022 will put it out there that we need more women in nontraditional careers. And that concludes my comments.
Thank you so very much, Tanja, for your comments. Will the Chief Clerk please read the name of our next speaker.
Good morning, Sue Hoffman. Are you connected and ready proceed?
All right. State your name for the record and proceed with your comments.
Good morning. My name is Sue Hoffman. I'm the Project Manager for Women in Nontraditional Careers, WINC, at Philadelphia Works, and I'm speaking in favor of Resolution 220170. I want to thank Councilmember Gilmore Richardson and the other sponsors for recognizing and honoring WINC through Stated Meeting 109 3/3/2022 this resolution. Let me share with Council why Philadelphia Works agreed to incubate and grow WINC. As the City's workforce board, Philadelphia Works invests in training and partnerships that create pathways to family-sustaining careers, especially for folks who have been unemployed and underemployed, and this also meets the talents of local businesses. So when tradeswomen and advocates came to Philadelphia Works with the idea of what became WINC in 2018, Philadelphia Works saw the potential and said yes. So over the past three years, Philadelphia Works has provided the staffing and the federal grant support to power WINC, but Philadelphia Works can't do it alone. Like Tureka, Nicole, and Tanja have also talked about, we have a diverse Steering Committee. We have a partnership among unions, employers, non-profits, trainers, tradeswomen, which Stated Meeting 110 3/3/2022 is also noted in the resolution. And as we grow and try to sustain our impact, WINC needs additional funding, additional partners, and additional -- getting the word out, additional outreach, to make sure that even more women are able to thrive in a trades career. So I encourage everybody to find out more about WINC and how to get involved. You can visit our website at WINCproject.org. That's WINC with a C, W-I-N-C, project.org. And we appreciate the opportunity to be honored in this way during Women in Construction Week and Women's History Month. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Sue Hoffman, for your comments. Will the Chief Clerk please read the name of our next speaker.
Michele Paxton, good morning. Are you connected Stated Meeting 111 3/3/2022 and ready to proceed?
State your name for the record and proceed with your comments.
Good morning, everybody. My name is Michele Paxton. I am the Vice President of the National Association of Women in Construction here in Philadelphia, Chapter No. 145, and I am also the Corporate Safety Director for Binsky and Snyder in Piscataway, New Jersey. So good morning, Councilmembers, and thank you for allowing me to speak in favor of Resolution 220170, which recognizes March 6th through the 13th, 2022 as Women in Construction Week and to honor the Women in Nontraditional Careers. Promoting women in nontraditional careers is extremely important for the future of the trades Stated Meeting 112 3/3/2022 within our great City of Philadelphia. We need more women and we need more support within the industry, as we are still unfortunately grossly underrepresented in all aspects of construction, transit, and other nontraditional careers. So I want to thank you, Councilmembers and the sponsors of this resolution, for your consideration. And this concludes my comments.
Thank you so very much, Michele Paxton. Will you please read the name of our next speaker.
Good morning, Eric Jenkins. Are you connected and ready to proceed?
Just state your name for the record and proceed with your comments. Stated Meeting 113 3/3/2022
Okay. My name is Eric Jenkins. I'm a member of Socialist Alternative and I am here to support Resolution 220176. Starbucks workers and any barista workers attempt to unionize and (unintelligible) workplace actions have my support. In Memphis, Tennessee, seven Starbucks workers who were leading a unionization drive in their store were fired in retaliation for fighting back. Many of these workers who were fired were Black, and we shouldn't be surprised by this. Many corporations like Starbucks test out their union busing tactics on Black and Brown working people first, because they know they can get away with it. These seven Starbucks workers in Memphis, the Memphis Seven, still don't have their jobs back. Already we are seeing Starbucks export their tactics of unjustly firing leading Stated Meeting 114 3/3/2022 Starbucks organizers from stores who declare that they're unionizing. Recently a Starbucks unionization leader in Buffalo, New York was fired abruptly. We will definitely see more Starbucks stores try to fire more leading workers because they can afford to take measly pennies from the NLRB and want to stop any movement toward building a union. This is an indictment of capitalist institutions and are always geared to covering for the bosses, because even if workers get their jobs back, it usually takes years after the fact and the unionization drive has been severely weakened or crushed. Starbucks workers cannot rely on these institutions, because --- but they can use their own power as workers in conjunction with the larger Philadelphia working class. We know Philly is a union town, who are predominantly Black of our population, and we know that Black people Stated Meeting 115 3/3/2022 are the most unionized racial demographic in the United States. The question is how City Council can support workers fighting back against union busing in a city that knows Black liberation is tied to a revitalized labor movement. This resolution is a great first step. However, to have resolve, we also need concrete actions. We cannot wait until Philadelphia Starbucks workers face the de-funding of unionizing or losing their jobs. We must be prepared when Starbucks or any company bring their racist union busing tactics to this city, and we should be clear, it will be devastating not only for all Black and Brown workers but for all workers. We need community mobilizations led by unions, socialist organizations, (unintelligible) politicians and can empower Starbucks workers to lead a movement to win and build a dynamic labor movement that can launch unionization drives in every negative corporation in Stated Meeting 116 3/3/2022 this city, including Comcast. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Eric Jenkins, for your comments. Can we please read the name of our next speaker.
Good morning, Tony Abata. Are you connected and ready to proceed?
State your name for the record and feel free to proceed with your comments.
My name is Tony Abata. I'm here to support Resolution No. 220176. I support Starbucks and barista workers organizing for a union here in Philly and across the world. I am a union member and a rank and file shop steward for District 1199C. I'm here in a personal capacity and as a member of Stated Meeting 117 3/3/2022 Socialist Alternative. The struggle of Starbucks workers and other barista workers is a struggle of all low-wage workers and part-time workers today, just like Eric just highlighted. Corporations like Starbucks make billions in profit right here in Philadelphia, while us workers struggle to keep up with rising rents, spiraling healthcare, and a lack of safe employment. Together, Starbucks and other industry workers can raise pay and also raise expectations about what work means today. These workers got together, they presented their demands, and they filed for a union vote. But let's be totally clear. This is only the beginning of the struggle. Starbucks will not voluntarily give up millions in profit. We saw the brutal and illegal union busing tactics used against our siblings organizing at Amazon in Bessemer, Alabama and in New Stated Meeting 118 3/3/2022 York and, as Eric just highlighted, the firing of seven Starbucks workers in Memphis. So the question really is, how do we win against these mega corporations with unlimited resources? We need a mass movement. We have to rely on our own power as workers. We have to share and take up winning tactics and strategy whenever possible. We have to expand the struggle to bring in our communities into this fight back, including our elected officials and the existing union movement. This is an incredibly important first step, this resolution, but it's only a beginning. We need our elected officials to do more to actively build support and bring a spotlight to retaliation against workers seeking a voice in the workplace. A win for Starbucks workers is a win for the working class here across Philadelphia. Stated Meeting 119 3/3/2022 We know a rising tide lifts all boats. It's time to lift up the struggling Starbucks workers today and support this resolution.
Thank you, Tony Abata, for your comments. Can the Chief Clerk please read the name of our next speaker.
Good morning, Lou O'Reilly. Are you connected and ready to proceed?
Yes, I am. Lou O'Reilly, speaking on Resolution 220176. Oh, sorry.
No. You're fine. State your name for the record and just proceed. Yes.
Okay. I am a Starbucks barista working currently at 9th and South Street. We have over the last two days been having a series of captive audience sessions that can at Stated Meeting 120 3/3/2022 best be described as anti-union conversations and at worst be described as a forced listening to anti-union propaganda that in most cases is misleading, at most generous. These sessions are frankly exhausting for the employees who are constantly having facts that we know and laws that we know we are supported by being outright lied about or misconstrued by Starbucks corporate. These union efforts have been led by our employees. It has been from the get-go by the workers, because we have realized the flaws evident in Starbucks and our need to have a larger position at the bargaining table, and these intimidation tactics are a malice effort to attempt to dissolve our union before it's even begun. We are thankful for City Council for proposing a resolution to reinforce the backing that we know we have through our labor laws and hope for Stated Meeting 121 3/3/2022 continued support from Council in the case that Starbucks permits any more further actions of blatant anti-union behavior. Thank you for your time, Chairman.
Thank you, Lou O'Reilly, for your comments today. Can we please read the name of our next speaker.
Yes, we can hear you. You are connected. Just state your name for the record and proceed with your comments, Sarah.
Okay. Thank you. My name is Sarah Giskin and I'm here to support Resolution No. 220176 to Stated Meeting 122 3/3/2022 stand in solidarity with Starbucks workers organizing to form a union. I am a rank and file member of AFSCME DC47 and also a member of Socialist Alternative. I'm speaking in a personal capacity today. The last year Starbucks made 5 billion in practice and also raised their CEO's total compensation to over $20 million, all the while workers who roast the beans, brew the coffee, work the register, interact with customers during a deadly pandemic, and do so much more have been struggling to make ends meet. Their schedules are unpredictable, their wages stagnant, their healthcare coverage is expensive and insufficient, and for some reason, they are not allowed to receive tips from credit card transactions. There are now over 100 Starbucks locations nationwide, including four in Philadelphia, that have publicly announced that they are joining the Stated Meeting 123 3/3/2022 union, and it's awesome to have just heard from one of those workers today. Solidarity. And as a union member, I can say that this wave of organizing at Starbucks is the most significant development in the labor movement right now. There is huge energy in the working-class rank and file across the country and potential to rebuild the strength of the labor movement and raise our collective expectations for what we can win beyond the limited vision of many labor leaders. If Starbucks workers win big, the impact will be electric across U.S. labor. All workers have a stake in this in every industry in every part of the country, and that's why Starbucks will ramp up their union busing relentlessly, anti-union propaganda, captive audience meetings, and even illegal retaliatory firings like have happened in Memphis. So we must not underestimate them. Stated Meeting 124 3/3/2022 That's why City Council must stand unequivocally with these workers in their fight to make their work sustainable, dignified, and fairly compensated. Any elected official anywhere who claims to be pro worker or pro labor needs to do the same. It's a simple question: Which side are you on?
Thank you very much, Sarah, for your comments today. Mr. President?
Thank you, Mr. President. Pass the reins back to the Prez.
Duly accepted. Thank you, Madam Leader. Mr. Decker, please read the next name.
Good afternoon. I'm sorry. State your name for the record. Please proceed.
Yep, it became afternoon. My name is Mary Adamson. I'm the President of the Temple University Hospital Nurses Association. We're a local of PASNAP in North Philadelphia, and we stand in solidarity with the workers who are fighting against Starbucks. Nurses are no strangers to the barista. We know them well. This is how we get through some of our long shifts, but we're in solidarity with these workers, particularly the ones that were fired in Memphis for organizing. We've passed a resolution at our local to stand in solidarity with Starbucks workers, and we also sent money to them to help with the workers that were fired. Stated Meeting 126 3/3/2022 We call today on the whole labor movement in Philadelphia to do the same, and we ask City Council to pass this resolution to show Starbucks and the many corporations who believe in union busing that Philly is a union town and that we won't tolerate these tactics. Currently at Temple Hospital, we're dealing with the same thing, and we've had a longstanding union for many years. The Starbucks workers union drive has the potential to be the next best step toward rebuilding a fighting labor movement in Philly and across the country. So we all have a huge stake in the success of the Starbucks workers. So please pass this resolution and stand with the workers of Philadelphia and across the country. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Gail Loney, Stated Meeting 127 3/3/2022 commenting on 220177.
Good afternoon. State your name for the record. Please proceed with your testimony.
Hi. My name is Gail Loney. I'm calling to support Resolution 220177 honoring Ms. Jacqueline Wiggins. She is a woman who speaks truth to power, as you may have noticed. She was on today in support of the Bill 220051. Ms. Jackie, as we all know and love, is an unassuming gray-haired, caramel-colored Black woman who is small framed and well groomed but a powerhouse of a person, and I am pleased and honored to be able to talk about and have my friend held up and recognized during this Women's History Month where she stands alongside people such as Ruth Wilson and Dr. Ethel Allen. She is a walking, talking Stated Meeting 128 3/3/2022 activist leader who inspires and aspires us all and is the voice of Black history, Black pride, Black women, and Black people. Jackie can tell you about the history of the country, the City, the neighborhoods, and especially North Philadelphia. She's a business woman who does tours through Wiggins Tours. She's a storyteller and a volunteer at Johnson House in Germantown where she does programming for young people to learn about the Underground Railroad to be forever connected to their history. She's a mentor to many, even though she may not know or realize, and donates to causes for youth. She volunteers her time and experience, her knowledge and her skill. She's a dynamic woman whose DNA is about teaching and learning in and outside the classroom. And I want to thank Kendra Brooks for lifting up Ms. Jackie at a time when Black women need to be lifted up, when Black women Stated Meeting 129 3/3/2022 have not always been shown in the best light. I'd like to thank Kendra for hearings (unintelligible) and picking up that torch in this month of women's history, your work to achieve racial equity around the elderly, housing, tenants right, and those are just a few of the things and causes that the City needs and has hungered for, and you have been the breath of fresh air that we have been waiting and craving for. To put ourselves and each other in these positions of service is recognizing that we are our brother and sister's keepers, and each one teach one, lest we never forget. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Loney. Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good Stated Meeting 130 3/3/2022 afternoon. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Good afternoon. My name is Marilyn Polite. I'm here for Resolution 220183. I am the proud mother of Dr. Elana McDonald and Delana Wardlaw. I'm here to express my feelings about the work they have done in the communities and how they have advocated to help with the COVID testing and vaccine and how they volunteered their time endlessly trying to encourage and inform our communities and to make sure that young Black people are aware of what's going on with their medical health and the knowledge of what's going on with COVID. Thank you very much for your time.
Thank you so much for your testimony, and thank you for producing two awesome, awesome women. Thank you for your Stated Meeting 131 3/3/2022 family's contribution to the Strawberry Mansion community, starting over there on Diamond Street. So thank you. We really appreciate you.
Good morning. Good morning. I'm sorry. Good afternoon. My name is Kahlil Wardlaw and I am calling to support Resolution 220183 for the Twin Sister Docs. The Twin Sister Docs provide quality healthcare and address health disparities in underserved communities through a variety of platforms. They each deliver COVID awareness and access to their communities. Through their website, social media, and participation in various town hall meetings, they reach an untold number of residents. The Twin Sister Docs also use their platform to spread knowledge Stated Meeting 132 3/3/2022 through radio shows, clinics, and local charter schools, all while serving as mentors to the greater Philadelphia community. These two identical twins, Elana McDonald and Delana Wardlaw, are dedicated and thoughtful practitioners of medicine. They deserve recognition for their commitment to the Philadelphia community. And that concludes my support of their resolution. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good afternoon. State your name for the record -
Hello. Good afternoon. My name is Romani Abney. I'm in support of Resolution 220183, Twin Sister Docs. Stated Meeting 133 3/3/2022 When the pandemic hit the world, America, our state, our community, those in the underserved community knew we were in trouble. Where could we go? To whom could we turn? The answer was the Twin Sister Docs. We were able to get our vaccinations. We were able to get boosters. We were able to be tested. And our fears of being the last to be served was solved and remedied by the Twin Sister Docs and other doctors like them. These are beautiful women whom our community has given birth to, and thank God we were able to turn to our own for the help that our community truly, truly needed. We're ready to put our faith and our trust in them. They worked tirelessly in our community, leaving their own families home while they donned their protective gear to come and see that our community was not last on the list, like we have Stated Meeting 134 3/3/2022 So I want to thank them and thank their parents for having given birth and raised such beautiful people.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
We have no other speakers for public comment today, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment session for today, and we will now consider today's Resolution Consent Agenda. I will ask the Clerk to please read the titles of all the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the resolution on the Resolution Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the resolution will be immediately removed Stated Meeting 135 3/3/2022 Resolution Consent Agenda and placed on today's regular Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, can you please now read the titles of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Resolution No. 220169, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 809 West Firth Street and 2955 North 8th Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District"; and Resolution No. 220170, entitled a "Resolution declaring March 6 through 13, 2022, during Women's History Month, as Women in Construction Week in the City of Philadelphia, and honoring Women in Nontraditional Careers for their commitment to support, increase, and advance the participation of women in construction, manufacturing, and transit careers in the Philadelphia region"; and Resolution No. 220171, entitled a "Resolution honoring and congratulating Stated Meeting 136 3/3/2022 Arthur 'Art' McNally, for his career's outstanding impact on modern football officiating and his revolutionary induction into the Pro-Football Hall of Fame as the first ever on-field official to be enshrined"; and Resolution No. 220172, entitled a "Resolution recognizing and honoring former Philadelphia Eagles coach Richard Albert 'Dick' Vermeil for his distinguished 15-year NFL coaching career and congratulating him on being inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame in 2022"; and Resolution No. 220173, entitled a "Resolution honoring the life and legacy of comedy legend Bob Saget, a Philadelphia native and Temple University graduate, on the occasion of his passing"; and Resolution No. 220174, entitled a "Resolution recognizing Philadelphia's own DJ Diamond Kutz for her selection as Stated Meeting 137 3/3/2022 of the upcoming reboot of the seminal television program, Yo! MTV Raps"; and Resolution No. 220175, entitled a "Resolution recognizing Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law on the 125th Anniversary of its founding"; and Resolution No. 220176, entitled a "Resolution expressing the Philadelphia City Council's firm support for workers at Starbucks in Philadelphia who are attempting to form a union, and urging Starbucks to accept card check neutrality"; and Resolution No. 220177, entitled a "Resolution honoring the life, work, and accomplishments of Jacqueline 'Jackie' Wiggins, whose dedication to serving, teaching, and advocating for marginalized populations has immeasurably strengthened the Black communities and the City of Philadelphia as a whole"; and Resolution No. 220180, entitled Stated Meeting 138 3/3/2022 "Resolution honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week and Black Business Crawl organization, the Philadelphia 76ers Buy Black program, and past recipients Spergo and Girl Contracting, Incorporated"; and Resolution No. 220181, entitled a "Resolution recognizing and honoring Michael J. Bradley Jr. as the Grand Marshal of the 250th Annual Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade"; and Resolution No. 220182, entitled a "Resolution honoring the Philadelphia Tennis Club for being the oldest Black-owned tennis club in the country"; and Resolution No. 220183, entitled a "Resolution recognizing and honoring Dr. Delana Wardlaw and Dr. Elana McDonald - the 'Twin Sister Docs' - for their outstanding contributions to the City of Philadelphia and crucial leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic"; and Stated Meeting 139 3/3/2022 220184, entitled a "Resolution recognizing and celebrating March 6th as Lithuanian Independence Day in the City of Philadelphia."
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda be adopted. Stated Meeting 140 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda has been adopted. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220178.
A resolution honoring the life and work of Reverend Dr. Evelyn C. Graves, for her lifetime of dedication to community activism and innovation in the creative and performing arts through the founding and leadership of Evelyn Graves Ministries.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gauthier Stated Meeting 141 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President, and I'd like to make a few brief remarks first.
Good afternoon, Council colleagues and everyone tuning in from home. Last week I introduced a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Evelyn Graves, a spiritual and community leader who passed away on January 30th of this year. Dr. Graves spent more than 50 years providing creative and performing arts opportunities to both youth and adults in West and Southwest Philadelphia as the leader of Evelyn Graves Productions, a multi-disciplinary theatre company. Over the years, Evelyn Graves Productions has traveled the world presenting spiritually and culturally Stated Meeting 142 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING relevant shows, many of which Dr. Graves wrote herself, to a variety of audiences. For decades, Evelyn Graves Ministries Church has provided a place for people to gather as a community, and the almost 40 faith-based programs founded by Dr. Graves have created a rich legacy of activism, empowerment, creativity, and mentorship. These outputs have provided spiritual enrichment, arts, education, childcare, and employment opportunities to more than half a million underserved families and will continue to do so for decades to come. This is not the first time Dr. Graves has been honored by this Council body for her lifetime of achievement and service to our city. In 2015, 5400 Chester Avenue and the 1400 and 1500 blocks of South 55th Street were named as Dr. Evelyn Graves Way as a token of recognition for her service, and it is my honor to introduce this resolution in Stated Meeting 143 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING honor of the legacy she leaves behind. Dr. Graves' death marks the passing of a spiritual giant and humanitarian, for her lifetime of work is truly a gift that will continue to enrich the residents of our city for many years to come. My dearest condolences go out to Dr. Graves' family. We are all so grateful for all of the incredible work she's done to better our city. And with that, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor of the resolution indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is Stated Meeting 144 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 210956-A.
An ordinance signifying the intention of the City of Philadelphia to organize the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority pursuant to authority established under state law, and amending Chapters 20-600 ("Standards of Conduct and Ethics"), 20-1200 ("Lobbying"), and 17-1400 ("Non-Competitively Bid Contracts; Financial Assistance") of The Philadelphia Code to address ethics, contractual and other requirements applicable to the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Bass. Stated Meeting 145 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilman Stated Meeting 146 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING O'Neill.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are one. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220051-A.
An ordinance amending Section 9-4116 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "2021 Public Stated Meeting 147 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Health Emergency Leave," to establish additional leave time under certain circumstance, modify existing provisions concerning the paid sick leave, and make technical changes.
Thank you, Council President. First, I would like to thank the sponsor, Councilmember Brooks, who joined me and Councilmember Domb on Tuesday, I believe, where we were with the SBA Administrator, Isabella Guzman, as well as Marc Morial and Andrea Custis, Stated Meeting 148 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING both from the Urban League, and we learned some interesting data in reference to small businesses, the fact that 40 percent of small businesses, especially in the --
Councilman, can you hold on one second. So you wanted a point of information, but Councilwoman Brooks and Domb wanted to speak on the bill. I just want to make sure -
I understand. I'm about to give my content for my point of information.
I understand. And so we learned that a number of businesses, and I was saying 40 percent across the nation and 41 percent here in the City of Philadelphia, African American businesses were lost during the pandemic. Stated Meeting 149 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING In the space and that context, I wanted to follow up on my point from last week where Councilmember Brooks stated in this body she would meet with small business owners and also provide data in reference to how she came up with the 25 employee threshold. My understanding is she met with some small businesses, and I want to get some perspective on that and I also have a question about the data.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brooks for a response and then subsequently to speak on behalf of the bill as earlier referenced.
So after the hearing, I did take a deep dive with small businesses, with a particular focus on small Black- and Brown-owned businesses in the City. So I amended the bill last week to increase the employer size to Stated Meeting 150 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING businesses to 25 or more employees for the following reasons: According to our own Commerce Department data, which was pulled from the U.S. Bureau Census 2019 County Business Pattern report, approximately 85 percent of Philadelphia's businesses have 25 fewer -- 25 employees -- fewer than 25 employees and are exempt from the COVID-19 leave legislation. Additionally, the average business size citywide is 22 employees and would be excluded under this amended definition. And if we were to increase the threshold to businesses with 50 or more employees, a mere 6 percent of Philadelphia businesses would be covered by this legislation. And then back on the data around Black and owned businesses, I evaluated the data that was available, and on average, Black and Brown-owned businesses in the City would be excluded from this legislation based on the Stated Meeting 151 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING current 25 or more employee threshold. In Philadelphia, Black-owned businesses employ 10.3 employees on average, Asian-owned businesses employ 5.1 employees, Hispanic-owned businesses employ 7.6 employees, and this information came from the 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics data presented to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on October 6th of 2020 by Center City District. And based on that data, the average Black and Brown-owned businesses would be excluded under the original bill, but I am willing to amend the bill further, out of the abundance of caution, to encompass more small Black and owned businesses. And for weeks now, I've been hearing from businesses about their concerns, and my team and I have consulted with business owners, the Diverse Chambers, and available data, and I'm confident that this bill, as amended, will not adversely impact Philadelphia businesses. Stated Meeting 152 3/3/2022 3/3/22 - STATED - 2ND READING But we cannot make policy decisions based on the desire for just one group of stakeholders. And I also talked to dozens of workers, union members, advocates who were adversely affected by previous iterations of this bill lasting during the dire periods of the pandemic, and I feel like we can't leave workers out in the cold again. And that's why I'm confident that this bill balances the need to protect workers and create reasonable expectation for businesses.
Council President, I have a follow-up question on my point of information.