***Click here for photos of the rally***
Pittsburgh– Just four days before the election, a diverse alliance of labor, community and environmental groups rallied today in support of Bill Peduto.
“Bill Peduto has a clear vision for a city where development benefits working families, the environment and our local economy,” Sam Williamson, Assistant Western PA Director, SEIU 32BJ. “Bill’s got a plan for Pittsburgh so that working people in all of our neighborhoods have a chance to get ahead.”
Peduto supporters from groups including 32BJ SEIU, The Sierra Club, United Steelworkers, UFCW, PFT 300, Ironworkers, IATSE, Clean Water Action, and the League of Conservation Voters gathered at the Gardens at Market Square—the first development which will be fully covered under the 2009 Service Worker Prevailing Wage Bill strongly supported by Bill Peduto.
“Bill Peduto has been at the forefront of efforts to create good jobs for all working people in Pittsburgh,” said Kevin Kilroy, UFCW Local 23. “Peduto understands that we cannot rebuild Pittsburgh without a strong middle class.”
Peduto was a strong supporter of the 2009 Service Worker Prevailing Wage Bill. The $81.8 million project, The Gardens at Market Square, will be the first Pittsburgh development covered by prevailing wage and clean construction legislation. The construction site represents Peduto’s fight to ensure that new development benefit more than just developers and big banks by using clean construction and ensuring good jobs “from shovel to broom.”
““If we are going to solve our sewage in the rivers problem in a way that brings our region the most benefits, Pittsburgh desperately needs a leader who can fight for that solution. Because he understands how catching the rain where it falls could transform our region, Peduto is that leader,” said Tom Hoffman, Western Pennsylvania Director of Clean Water Action.
“Bill Peduto is energetic and hardworking and has a vision for the city. He has an interest in seeing both businesses and workers thrive,” said Mark Thomas, Ironworkers Local 3.
“We are impressed with Bill Peduto’s interest in involvement in our schools. I believe Bill Peduto will be the education mayor and I am excited to work with him for the betterment of Pittsburgh’s students,” said Nina Esposito-Visgitis, PFT 400.
“Bill Peduto is the best candidate to address the issues and concerns of all working people in Pittsburgh,” Johnny Defazio, President of District 10, USW.
State Representative Erin Molchany joined the rally to show her support for Peduto. “I am supporting Peduto because he will work with state reps to get things done so that we can move forward and make Pittsburgh work for working families.”
***Click here for photos of the rally***
With 125,000 members in eight states and Washington, D.C., including 20,000 in Pennsylvania, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
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