Specter and Sestak collide in Delco

Commonwealth Confidential: Party-switching Sen. Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak previewed the themes of their probable primary battle in back-to-back appearances at a meeting of the Delaware County Democratic Party’s executive committee in Broomall.

Altered pension plan to come sooner?

The city's proposed changes to pensions for new hires could come sooner than expected. Philly's underfunded pension plan is expected to soon be declared "severely distressed" by the Pennsylvania Employee Retirement Commission. Once that happens, the city is required to set up a lower-cost pension program for new hires.

Storm brewing over city budget

It's Our Money: It's becoming more and more clear that Council is dissatisfied with Mayor Nutter's budget proposal. Based on the tone set by City Council's first hearing on the plan today, there will be a lot of resistance.

"No Contract, No Peace" say city workers at LOVE Park rally

NJ casinos fighting back against union ad campaign

ATLANTIC CITY - For months, some Atlantic City casinos sat silently while the United Auto Workers battered them with print, billboard and radio ads claiming the gambling houses are refusing to negotiate contracts with dealers and other workers.

Walkout a threat at Acme groceries

Top executives for the supermarket chain said yesterday that they were prepared for a walkout next month, but hoped their 4,500 unionized workers in Southeastern Pennsylvania instead would accept the company's final contract offer.

In the recession aisle, next to the tuna

I've been watching with interest the battle heating up between Acme and the United Food and Commercial Workers union Local 1776. On June 9, Acme presented its "last, best offer" to the union's 4,500 supermarket workers in southeastern Pennsylvania. This "last, best" is a legal term. It essentially means take it or leave it. There's no more opportunity for bargaining and Acme has said so in a letter to the union. Both sides accuse the other of unresponsive bargaining and delays, which gives me comfort because it probably means that no one is more at fault in that regard than the other.

Legislation to Change City Pension Program Introduced in Council

Discrimination case against N.J. union advances

A former shop steward at a Trenton construction site had probable cause for alleging racial discrimination after his demotion within a local union last year, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office announced yesterday.

Unions scoff at Nutter's pension plan

As time runs down on city labor contracts, Mayor Nutter plans to send legislation today to City Council that would change the city pension plan for new workers.

Nutter seeking reduced pension benefits for new hires

City workers: Be flexible on summer vacation plans

City Warns Employees that Vacation Plans Could Change if Unions Strike

Layoffs of 25 in union pits schools against PFT

The president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers warned this week that mounting tensions between the union and the city school district could adversely affect ongoing contract talks.

Inquirer owners get court extension on restructuring plan

The owners of The Inquirer, The Philadelphia Daily News, and Philly.com today were given an additional 60 days to complete a restructuring plan to bring the company out of bankruptcy.

Union chief wants NFL to prove players' revenue share too large

The NFL owners say the current collective-bargaining agreement, which gives 60 percent of the league's total football revenue to the players, doesn't work for them.

New NFL union chief presses his case

The NFL Players Association was smart to choose a David-sized executive director to replace Hall of Fame lineman Gene Upshaw. The looming battle with the gargantuan and heavily fortified NFL might be won with a well-aimed stone.

Mayor Says Unions Must Make Sacrifices

GM closings likely will hit Pa. hardest

Under GM's plan, it will lose 90 dealers, more than any other state. It's also losing 53 Chrysler dealers.

WASHINGTON - Pennsylvania will lose more General Motors dealerships than any other state, according to details the company released yesterday on the planned shrinkage of its dealer network.