PA’s Labor Movement Is Having a Moment—And We’re Here For It

Members of SEIU, PASU, and other organizations rallying in Harrisburg to raise the wage

Making the choice to hold onto radical hope as unprecedented news breaks on a near daily basis is no easy feat. But even in the wake of major developments like the passage of the Big Fugly Bill, which will hit working-class families hardest, folks from across the Commonwealth are standing union strong and demanding what they and their communities deserve. From Wilkes-Barre to Philly, SEIU to SBWU, union workers are not only building tangible power to further our movement toward a just economic system– they are reminding us that we can win along the way.  

In Philadelphia, after an 8 day strike and 12 hours of tense contract negotiations, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 33 reached a tentative deal with Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration that would raise wages by 3% each year over three years if ratified. 9,000 union members took part in this historic strikethe biggest municipal strike in Philadelphia since over 10,000 District Council 33 workers went on strike in 1986. The strike of 2025, much like the strike of 1986 and the Memphis sanitation workers strike of 1968, is as much about racial justice as it is about economic justice. District Council 33 is the only major municipal union with a majority of Black members; it is also Philly’s largest and lowest-paid bargaining unit. That’s no coincidence– it’s the legacy of systemic racism. Union members are voting on the contract this week, with an official tally expected by Monday, July 21st. District Council 33’s President, Greg Boulware, expressed disappointment in the strike ending and told local media that another walkout isn’t off the table if union members vote down the agreement.

In the midst of District Council 33’s strike, AFSCME District Council 47, which represents Philly’s white-collar city workers, also fought for a new contract and reached a tentative deal this week. The contract, which has not yet been ratified by union members, would raise wages across the board for all employees, along with other benefits increases. While neither contract meets all of the unions’ demands, their steadfast commitment to fighting for what all working people deserve continues to fuel the labor movement in Pennsylvania.  

In NEPA, a region of our Commonwealth with its own rich labor history, Starbucks workers recently voted to unionize in Wilkes-Barre and Dickson-City, with both stores joining the national Starbucks Workers United (SBWU). Shortly after voting to unionize in May, workers from the Wilkes-Barre Starbucks took to the streets, joining 100 other stores and over 1,000 baristas for a walkout protesting the new dress code policy that union reps say should have been determined through collective bargaining. As part of the press release announcing the vote to unionize the Dickson City store in June, barista and SBWU member Missy Malinchak said, “With this victory has come a step forward for us to have a voice. A voice for better staffing, better work conditions, and competitive wages.” 

Thanks to a collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Health Care Association and SEIU Healthcare PA, a new contract was ratified yesterday that will increase pay, improve retirement benefits, and create educational opportunities for over 2,500 nursing home employees across Pennsylvania, including in West Reading, Hazelton, Dunmore, and Lititz. The deal will help ensure that nursing homes remain properly staffed and that individuals with disabilities and the elderly have access to the critical care they need and deserve. At the same time, SEIU Healthcare PA members are organizing in response to Medicaid and Medicare cuts that are harming their patients by demanding that elected officials guarantee healthcare for all. 

Interested in learning more about the importance of labor organizing? Join Lancaster Stands Up’s Troublemakers Cafe tonight  from 6:30-8:30pm for a showing of Pullman and The Railroad Rebellion. A follow up discussion on the importance of the labor movement, why we need organized labor to win power, and how we can use labor as a vehicle to fight fascism will be held on July 31st. 

When working folks come together across our differences to fight for what we deserve– affordable housing, universal healthcare, fully-funded transit, and a just transition to clean energy and secure union jobs– we build the power we need to win a PA that truly works for all of us, not just the wealthy few.

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In solidarity,

Alec & Hannah