AFL-CIO Bus Tour Stops in Philadelphia as Teachers Prepare to Strike; Travels to Long Beach to Defend VA Union Contracts

The AFL-CIO “It’s Better In a Union” bus made two powerful stops on Friday as its nationwide tour rolls on. In Philadelphia, the bus tour joined the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) at its last strike preparation gathering before the new school year begins; in Long Beach California, it stopped by a Protect Veterans’ Care and Stop Retaliation Against Workers rally at the Tibor Rubin Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.

PFT members are currently in negotiations with the School District of Philadelphia in hope of reaching a new contract and avoiding a walkout. However, they are still preparing to strike if necessary. At the event, teachers received support from other local unions and the families of their students. Attendees made signs and gathered materials that will be needed if the strike becomes a reality. PFT’s current agreement expires on Aug. 31.

“You have a calling to prepare and educate the next generations of Philadelphians and Americans. You’re patriots! You’re really making it happen here in Philadelphia and across the commonwealth,” Philadelphia Council of the AFL-CIO President Danny Bauder told the crowd gathered in front of the bus. “No matter what it takes, if it’s escalated activities, rallies or shutting the city down, we’re gonna do it and we’re going to win when we do!”

In Long Beach, AFGE National President Everett Kelley and Reps. Nanette Barragán and Derek Tran joined Los Angeles-area union members, veterans and community members to fight back against attacks on the VA. Speakers called on Congress to stop the Trump administration’s efforts to privatize the nation’s largest public health care system and demanded the restoration of federal workers’ collective bargaining rights.

AFGE Local 1061 President and Army veteran Dewanda Mitchell said: “Trump is trying to silence union VA workers because we’re the ones standing in the way of his ultimate goal: privatizing all VA care and selling veterans out to the lowest bidder. This is retaliation! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”