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Our Opinion ... A Mighty Demonstration
Another Opinion city traffic and guarantee the safety of the passengers. You can’t defend yourself and drive a bus. Many of the loops at the end of the bus routes are in isolated areas. This puts the drivers and passengers waiting in the bus in jeopardy. It’s time for transit workers to be in the protected status. We need to see an increase in the penalty for attacks on transit employees. TWU Local 234 is in full support of the State Bill 236 sponsored by PA Senator Tina Tartaglione bill to protect Transit Workers who are at risk of violence in the workplace. Senator Tartaglione introduced this legislation to add public transit workers to the protected class. This status applies to occupations such as police officers and firefighters. Any attack against someone in this
category is classified as an aggravated assault. I reached out to Pennsylvania representatives to support this Bill. House Representative, John Taylor has committed to introduce a similar bill in the House. Other states have adopted stiffer penalties for assaulting transit workers. It’s time for Pennsylvania to do the same. Legislation addresses one aspect of the problem, but this issue demands immediate and direct action in a variety of ways. TWU will work with SEPTA, and our elected officials to raise the level of protection. I propose to form a Task Force to address violence in public transportation. We must make certain that transit workers and riders are not targets for violence any longer. The Mayor and I talked about this issue. We are exploring ways to prevent future attacks. TWU officers are developing a plan that includes input from bus operators. One idea is to increase security at bus loops. In order to find solutions, TWU will work with SEPTA and the riding public to identify actions to protect the riding public and transit workers.
Aug. 17- Bobbie Carter Foundation Diabetes Games Nightpm at Park Ave. Banquet Ha., 4942 Parkside Ave., 6-8:30 p.m. Buffet and wine sampling $5. For info Yanina Carter (267) 5862268. Aug. 17- Friends of Councilman Mark Squilla host fundraiser at Keenan’s Irish Pub, N. Wildwood, N.J., 710 p.m. Tickets at door $35. Mail checks to Squilla for Council, Box 37332, Phila. PA 19148. Aug. 18- Barrett Rec Ctr. Advisory Board Community Day, 8th & Duncannon Sts., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Family fun day. Free. All invited. For info Sheila Bellamy (215) 457-4079. Aug. 18- Voter-ID informational meeting hosted by State Reps. Ronald Waters, Vanessa Brown and Harold James at Sanctuary Church of the Open Door, 5923-41 Walnut St., 12-3 p.m. Refreshments. Aug. 18- 47th Ward Crab & Shrimp Fest to Baltimore leaves Progress Plaza, Broad & Oxford Sts., 1 p.m. Open
bar, massive menu. $150. For info George Brooks (267) 971-5703. Aug. 18- Brett Mandel holds Summer Bar-B-Que Fundraiser at 1026 S. 22nd St., 3-7 p.m. $500 Bulldog, $250 Watch Dog, $100 Guard Dog, $50 Puppy Dog. Aug. 19- Annual Billy Meehan Clam Bake at Cannstatter Volksfest Verein, 9130 Academy Rd., 4-8 p.m. Ferko String Band entertains. For info Republican City Committee (215) 561-0650. Aug. 20- Rick Hellberg to address local Tea Party members at Prudential Savings Bank, 1834 Oegon Av., parking in rear at 7 pm. All invited. Aug. 22- Stu Bykofsky’s Candidates Comedy Night at Finnigan’s Wake, 3rd & Spring Garden Sts. Doors open 7:30 p.m. Tax-deductible tickets benefiting Variety Club are $75. For info and tickets Eric Perry (215) 735-0803, ext. 11. Aug. 25- Paul “Earthquake” Moore’s “Hands For Peace”. Human-chain formation on Woodland Ave. from 52nd through to 70th St., 8 a.m. Aug. 25- State Senator Anthony H. Williams invites all to Family Fun Day at Nile Swim Club, 513 S. Union Avenue, Yeadon.. This
event is totally free and will offer swimming, moon bounces, music, food, and a basketball segment. For info call Senator Anthony Williams’ District office at 215.492.2980. Sep. 3- AFL-CIO tri state Labor Day Parade & Family Festival at Sheet Metal Union Hall, Columbus Blvd. & Reed St., starting 9 a.m., to Penn’s Landing. Free events. Sep. 7- Hospital Fire Marshals Association 12th annual golf benefit at Valley Brook C.C., Blackwood, N.J. Entry fee $125 per golfer. Benefit Burn Foundation. For info Bob Shewbrooks (215) 3381052. Sep. 7- Fundraiser for State Rep candidate Dave Kralle at Paddy Whacks Pub, 9241 Roosevelt Blvd., 7 p.m. Sep. 8 - State and City elected officials will honor Philadelphia boxer Kelly Ryan for her accomplishments at the Ringside World Championships at Pennsylvania Veteran Boxers Association Clubhouse at 3 pm. For details, call Fred Druding, Jr. at (215) 221-2374. Sep. 9- Doo Wop Festival benefiting Phila. Veterans Multi Service & Ctr. at Penn’s Landing, 12-6 p.m. Free. For info (215) 9232600.
www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000
by John Johnson Jr., President, Transit Workers Union Local 234 Over 50 assaults on SEPTA employees have been recorded so far this year. This is more than double the 20 assaults documented last year in total. An attack on one operator affects all of us. Bus drivers not just caught in a cross fire, we’re the targets. I operated a bus for 7 years during my career at SEPTA. I had my life threatened at gun point while behind the wheel. Bus drivers have been heroes getting riders out of danger. It’s time to protect these hard working men and women. An attack on the operator puts everyone in the vicinity in danger, the passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians. A bus driver has to operate a forty foot vehicle through
The Public Record • August 16, 2012
Unprecedented! A classic! An event long to be remembered! There are more accolades that can be added, but pictures do more to tell the story of what took place at Eakins Oval on the Parkway under the shadow of the Art Museum last Saturday as 44,000 union members gathered to demonstrate their need for a “Second Bill of Rights”. Those pictures will be found on pages 11 and 15 of this issue, a photo memorial of the magnitude of the event that drew union leaders, elected officials, and the rank and file and their families together. Clearly one can understand why Philadelphia enjoys the reputation of being a strong union town where projects go up faster and with lesser costs because of experienced, trained union workers. Commendation goes to the Philadelphia AFL-CIO and its members in the Building Trades. Handling all the chores to insure the thousands gathered smoothly was IBEW Local 98 Business Manager John J. Dougherty. Every DC was involved. None stinted in their contribution to the event’s success. Also to be commended are those out of town unions who understood the meaning of the event, the need to demonstrate the sad economic plight in which the middle class now finds itself. And, kudos to union families, together with toddlers, who joined the march to the Parkway. They understood the rally was for them and their participation showed their gratitude someone was looking after their welfare and interest.