Union workers rally after layoffs and in support of amendments to city’s TRID plan
PITTSBURGH —
Union members with 32BJ SEIU gathered in downtown Pittsburgh to protest the recent layoffs of two union workers, calling the decision unacceptable and advocating for stronger worker protections amid ongoing efforts to revitalize the area.
Kimberly, a laid-off union member, shared her feelings about losing her job with PMC Property Group earlier this summer.
“Angry. Very disappointed with PMC. They’re like my family and friends. My tenants,” Kimberly said.
Rep. Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania’s 13th District emphasized the need to protect long-standing union jobs during the city’s revitalization efforts.
“It shouldn’t be at the expense of good jobs, especially 37-year jobs of someone taking care of this building, keeping it clean. So, the message was clear: Let’s respect that union work. Let’s respect those jobs,” Deluzio said.
The protests coincided with the passage of Pittsburgh City Council’s Pittsburgh Transit Revitalization Investment District Implementation Plan. The plan allocates 75% of new tax revenue from projects in downtown, the North Shore and the Strip District toward downtown improvements instead of the general city budget.
Tim Finucan, state director for 32BJ SEIU, stressed the importance of not only supporting construction workers but also the jobs that come after construction projects.
“You have to do right by the workers who are going to be in the building after the building is constructed,” Finucan said.
Council member Bobby Wilson of District 1 addressed concerns about creating sustainable jobs for workers in revitalized downtown buildings.
“The construction jobs are union. We want to make sure the jobs after — the people who are cleaning the hallways, the lobby, the doormen,” Wilson said.
Wilson also explained that amendments have been added to the TRID plan to hold downtown building owners accountable.
“And those amendments will bring applicants to the table. And in that application, they have to come up with a whole plan as to how they’re going to offer family-sustaining jobs after the project is built,” Wilson said.
The amendments have passed and are awaiting a final vote.
John Galuska, president of the Allegheny-Fayette Labor Council, underscored the importance of maintaining Pittsburgh’s union identity.
“One hundred thousand union members here at Allegheny County, and this is a union town. We’re going to make sure it stays a union town,” Galuska said.