Next mayor must help rebuild the middle class

By Pete Matthews, Henry Nicholas, and Fred Wright

This year's mayoral race comes at a pivotal time for the future of Philadelphia's middle class. In our city and around the country, America's once-thriving middle class, the driving engine behind our economy, is rapidly shrinking.

Since 1980, almost all of the wealth generated in this country has gone to the wealthiest 10 percent. That means everyday Philadelphians are making less money than they were several decades ago.

In Philadelphia, we see the implications of gross economic inequality every day in the form of unacceptable poverty rates that disproportionately affect people of color. But this troubling spiral to the bottom not only affects those stuck in poverty with no opportunity for a way out, but increasingly threatens Philadelphians with full-time jobs who pay their taxes, work harder, and are more productive, but still never seem to benefit from the fruits of their labor.

While many people believe that this financial reality is a foregone conclusion - a natural by-product of an unforgiving economy - the increasingly bad hand dealt to working people is a direct result of policies that favor those who are already wealthy. And as the rich get richer, working people are forced to fight over a shrinking piece of the economic pie. It's time that changed.

Unionized city workers, as well as Philadelphians in the health-care and service sectors, remain the foundation for the future prosperity of all workers in the city. The wages and benefits negotiated by unions as a result of collective bargaining set an economic standard across industries and labor markets that benefits all of us. In states where collective bargaining is suppressed by antiworker legislation, wages for all people are lower. The standards labor unions set should be the basis for an economy of aspiration and hope, not one of envy, greed, and despair.

As the Democratic primary election enters its final weeks, we have an important opportunity to talk about key economic policies we want to see enacted by the next mayor to foster an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy.

Studies show that regardless of race, age, gender, or geography, Philadelphians overwhelmingly say that increasing the incomes of ordinary Americans should be our first priority. We also support raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. These local attitudes reflect national trends.

Philadelphians also favor implementing a paid-family-leave program that would reimburse workers for some of their lost wages when they are away from work recovering from a serious illness or caring for a new baby or ill family member.

In addition to supporting fully funded public education, the next mayor needs to address the rising cost of college education and job training so working people can afford to train for the jobs of the future. He or she needs to support a policy that allows people to refinance their student loans at the same rate banks pay when they borrow money. Access to quality education should provide a path to a better financial future, not lock our children in an endless stream of debt.

All too often, unions, especially public-sector and service unions, are vilified by the political establishment rather than embraced as a force that can raise standards for everyone. No one is guaranteed success, but if you work hard and play by the rules, you should have the opportunity to get ahead. No one who works full time should live in poverty because wages are so low.

As Philadelphians who provide public services in city government and in the private health-care and service sectors, members of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees pay their taxes and are dedicated to improving the quality of life for everyone in the city.

During the final stretch of the mayoral election, let's keep the focus on what Philadelphians say they want: an economy that works for everyone. AFSCME members - your family, friends, and neighbors - are important partners in this process. Together, we can help lift people out of poverty and rebuild Philadelphia's middle class.

Henry Nicholas is president of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees (NUHHCE) AFSCME Council 1199C. president1199c@aol.com

Fred Wright is president of AFSCME District Council 47. fwright@dc47.org