Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans

This is precisely why we must organize to defeat Republicans running for Congress in PA. The Congressional GOP is intent on rolling back 1 of the best achievements of the Biden years-- Medicare's new capacity to massively decrease prescription drug prices for seniors. If you care about this, join us for our Tuesday morning PA phone banks this fall!

Hill GOP sets sights on scrapping drug price talks The Trump campaign's populist rhetoric on drug pricing is colliding with more traditional GOP concerns in Congress about heavy-handed government.

The National Teamsters leaders have already forgotten how Biden-Harris saved the pensions of millions of retirees, including many thousands of Teamsters, but Locals and Regional Councils around the country, including in crucial swing states, have not. They know Harris was part of the most worker and union friendly administration since FDR. Read all about it.

Harris Racks Up Regional Endorsements From Teamsters Locals After National Union Declines To Endorse After the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ executive board declined to endorse either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump, a series of local “joint councils” representing hundreds of thousands of workers in key swing states endorsed Harris. What You Need To Kno...

Retirees Congratulate Kamala Harris on a Strong Debate Performance

The following statement was issued by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, about last night’s presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump:

“Last night’s debate proved that the health and well-being of older Americans are only on the mind of one candidate for president: Kamala Harris.

“Despite the moderators neglecting to ask the candidates about Social Security, Medicare, or how to lower prescription drug prices, Vice President Harris made sure to talk about her record of strengthening retirement security and siding with seniors, not drug corporations.

“She knows that Americans pay the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs. Vice President Harris reminded us that insulin co-pays are capped at $35 per month for millions of seniors and that Medicare is negotiating lower drug prices thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration's Inflation Reduction Act.

“She also spoke about strengthening and protecting Social Security and Medicare, the earned benefits that Donald Trump would cut if he wins in November.

“Our members are hard at work educating their friends, families and neighbors about what’s at stake for older Americans in this election, and the clear differences between the two candidates for president.”

https://portside.org/2024-09-10/landmark-federal-ruling-against-union-busting-has-boosted-organizing?utm_medium=email&utm_source=portside-snapshot

A Landmark Federal Ruling Against Union-Busting Has Boosted Organizing Five years ago, after a majority of workers at Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas signed cards to join the Culinary Workers Union, supervisors marched them into a series of mandatory meetings. The company promised employees free health care and new retirement benefits if they voted down the union, and vow...

Please take a quick second to sign on. This is an important issue for seniors in our aging state population, as it will help families provide care for elderly family members and help keep them out of expensive nursing homes. It's a bipartisan, business and family friendly Bill that must come to a vote this Fall. Please ask your legislators to cosponsor and push for a vote in both Houses before the end of the year.

https://www.facebook.com/share/f4Gm9hA81bLN8pg1/

Tell Pennsylvania Lawmakers: Support the Family Care Act! The time is now – working families can't wait any longer for comprehensive paid family & medical leave.

Kamala Harris is now polling ahead with seniors in PA!

Kamala Harris could land key group of voters, polls show Recent polls show that a coveted voter group is firmly in play for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

Susan Wild's race for re-election is crucial for our community and our country! She has a proven track record of voting for retirement security for working-class people.

A Pa. race with high stakes and a low profile A Pa. race with high stakes and a low profile

Victory for Voters!! PARA is one of the organizations that brought this case to the courts. This should be the final ruling in this matter. Voters will not be penalized for a minor mistake that has no bearing on the legitimacy of the vote! Hooray for PA Voters and PARA!

https://eedition.inquirer.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=189ae139-c0d5-4451-9c04-ec77ba08da21&utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=e-edition_8_31_2024

https://portside.org/2024-08-30/work-rule-and-open-bargaining-back-down-kroger-warehouse-bosses?utm_source=portside-labor&utm_medium=email

Work To Rule and Open Bargaining Back Down Kroger Warehouse Bosses Teamsters in an Indiana grocery warehouse scored big this year with a contract campaign like never before. They organized in five languages and sported a multilingual union button. They opened up bargaining sessions for any member to come observe—on the peak day, 150 showed up. They even pulled of...

Great news!

UAW and Cornell Reach Tentative Agreement, Union Says After 12-Hour Session UAW and Cornell reach tentative agreement, union says after 12-hour session August 28, 2024 by Mark H. Anbinder in 14850 Today

Talk of union-busting is not popular with union voters in PA!

Kamala Harris erases Donald Trump's lead with union voters in Pennsylvania The swing state's vote has been a closely monitored predictor of who will emerge victorious in the November election.

Here's a few more pics from PARA's Philly celebration of the 89th anniversary of Social Security and the 59th anniversary of Medicare that Facebook wouldn't let me add to the last post.

Pictured are Philly retirees, and Rachel Elfenbein, standing, PARA Political Organizer for the election season; and Serena Issenberg, from the DA's Elder Abuse Unit.

PARA Members, and retirees from many unions showed up Wednesday, August 14th to celebrate the 89th anniversary of Social and 59th anniversary of Medicare. We Presented Hero Awards to Senator Bob Casey, who called in from the campaign trail, and Rep. Brendan Boyle, who both had 100% voting records in 2023 on retirees' issues. State Rep. Ben Waxman, whose district we met in at the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, presented PARA with a citation from the PA House of Representatives for our work on behalf of seniors. Retirees told personal stories of the impact these critical programs have had on the wellbeing of themselves and their loved ones. Serena Issenberg from the DA's Elder Justice Unit provided resource info. Rousing words were spoken and all left fired up to make protection and advancement of the rights and benefits of retirees major campaign issues this Fall. And we had cake, but forgot to photograph it.

Thanks to Danny Bauder, President, Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, who hosted and emceed; Tom Paine Cronin, President of the Retirees Committee of the Philly Council who cosponsored and organized; Rachel Elfenbein, PARA's temporary political organizer who did so much; and to all who came out to celebrate and activate!

Props and thanks to labor's unofficial photographer, Paul Gottlieb, retired PSEA, pictured standing in front of the window in one of the shots. He took almost all these pics.

https://portside.org/2024-08-13/uaw-hits-trump-musk-federal-labor-charges-over-effort-intimidate-workers?fbclid=IwY2xjawEo665leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHVnOvZj_BYWGLVWlDgvr04gWepaAxBXDI8aCrt1sevikcAUMgWyEs-AgNw_aem__EtXzZ5kC4Sc9GX3QPU2Dg

UAW Hits Trump, Musk With Federal Labor Charges Over Effort To ‘Intimidate Workers’ The United Auto Workers announced Tuesday that it filed federal labor charges against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk after the former president heaped praise on the world's richest man for firing striking workers.

https://www.facebook.com/share/grgQCJUYc61YoaXL/

Seniors for Harris-Walz Says Happy Birthday Social Security: A Musical Tribute · The Democratic National Committee Join us on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT as Seniors for Harris-Walz say Happy Birthday Social Security! Congressman John Larson (CT-1), Ranking Member of the House Social Security Subcommittee, and special guests will celebrate the 89th anniversary of the Social Security A...

Last night, we celebrated Social Security and Medicare's anniversaries with U.S. Congressmember Susan Wild in Allentown. Representative Wild proudly received the Alliance for Retired Americans' Hero Award for her 100% pro-retiree voting record in Congress last year. Pennsylvania Alliance Vice President, Jody Weinreich, and Alliance FIeld Organizer for Pennsylvania, Rachel Elfenbein, led the celebration.

Seniors Praise Choice of Governor Tim Walz as Running Mate

Washington, DC - Citing his long record of public service as a member of the U.S. House and Governor of Minnesota, retirees applaud Vice President Kamala Harris’ choice of Governor Tim Walz as her Vice Presidential nominee.

“Vice President Harris’ selection of Governor Tim Walz as her running mate is another exciting and promising sign for seniors and their families. She has clearly chosen someone who understands what matters most to older Americans and will fight for us,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance.

“Tim Walz understands that Social Security is essential. After his father died, his mother relied on those benefits to keep the household running,” he added. “Like Vice President Harris, he will fight to make sure the benefits we’ve earned will be there for current and future retirees.”

As a member of the U.S. House from 2007-2019, Rep. Walz earned a 92% lifetime score in the Alliance for Retired Americans’ annual Congressional Voting Record. He voted to pass the Affordable Care Act in 2010 which gave 65 million Medicare beneficiaries screenings at no cost for diabetes, heart disease, breast, colon and prostate cancers and lower drug prices by closing the Medicare Part D doughnut hole.

“If he is elected Vice President, retirees should feel confident that the Harris-Walz administration will work hard to strengthen and protect their hard earned Social Security and Medicare benefits,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance.

Governor Walz has been a pro-senior governor of Minnesota. He signed paid family and medical leave into law which helps seniors and families in times of need. His budgets included provisions to support retirees and family caregivers, prioritizing vaccines for seniors during the pandemic.

“Older Americans can trust the Harris-Walz team to build on Vice President Harris’ record of lowering drug prices and protecting retirees’ hard earned pensions from their first day in office,” added Fiesta.

In contrast, J.D. Vance earned just a 13% lifetime Pro-Retiree Score in the Alliance for Retired Americans Congressional Voting Record for his votes against pro-retiree legislation when he served in the U.S. Senate.

“Donald Trump has spoken openly and plainly about slashing Medicare and Social Security spending in a second term as President. Sen. Vance also supports cutting those benefits,” added Fiesta. “The selection of Sen. Vance as his running mate was another major step in that misdirection.”

“The Alliance’s 4.4 million members will work their hardest to ensure that the Harris-Walz team is elected in November,” said President Roach.

We highly recommend you check out this great website about American labor history and sign up for their excellent newsletter. It's full of stories, graphics, pictures and videos of historic leaders, unsung heroes and past campaigns. Support them if you can.

Help spread the word about Friday's Labor Folklore View and share as a webpage. Friday's Labor Folklore features stories and songs of working-class solidarity, history and culture. Invite a friend to join the mailing list. Ask them to send an email

Lifesaving medicine shouldn't bankrupt anyone. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act and $35 copays, Robin can afford the insulin she needs.

Inflation Reduction Act's Medicare drug price negotiation period ends, edges closer to affordable drugs by 2026 The negotiation period for the Inflation Reduction Act's drug price program ends today, putting millions of Medicare patients on the path to affordable prescription drugs by 2026.

Our own PARA VP, Jodi Weintraub, is sworn in as a regional board member of the national body, the Alliance for Retired Americans. At the conference in DC going on now. Also pictured on the right is Carol Rosenblatt, former AFSCME DC2187 President in Philadelphia, and later national Executive Director of CLUW (Coalition of Labor Union Women.)

PARA President Mike Crossey, VP Jodi Weinreich, and Exec Director Harriet Ellenberger participated, demonstrated and lobbied at the NE Regional Alliance for Retired Americans conference in Washington, DC this week.

"Ever since he announced his first presidential run, Trump has promised to “save Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security without cuts.” That was a lie. Even before he became president, his own staff and supporters were saying it wasn’t true. While he was in office, each of Trump’s budgets called for Social Security and Medicare cuts."

Opinion | How a second Trump term could destroy Medicare as we know it Project 2025’s section on Medicare and other health care initiatives is not getting the attention it deserves.

First Apple store to unionize gets its first contract!

Apple Reaches Tentative Contract Agreement With Unionized Store Employees in Maryland Apple has reached a tentative collective bargaining contract with the first unionized company store in the country. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ Coalition of Organized Retail Employees, which represents the employees at a retail location in Maryland, announced...

Interesting article about the depth and breadth of Kamala's labor support, and how her environmental policy impacts that support.

Biden balanced unions and climate. Harris could too — in her own way. The unions closest to Vice President Kamala Harris see climate action as a matter of protecting worker health and safety, rather than a threat to their

The only match up we care about...

Over 100 people attended a Seniors for Harris Rally, including PARA President Mike Crossey, one of the speakers, Gabby Giffords, and Allegheny Democratic Party Chair, Sam Hans Greco. The event was cochaired by our PARA Exec Dir, Harriet Ellenberger. This was one of several events being held around the state marking the anniversary of the enactment of Social Security and Medicare.

"A vote for Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress is a vote to cut our earned benefits, increase our costs for prescription drugs, and throw more tax breaks at billionaires. A vote for Democrats is a vote to expand benefits, lower prescription drug prices, and require those billionaires to start paying their fair share."

Kamala Harris Is the Winning Choice for Seniors | Common Dreams As president, Harris will expand Social Security and Medicare and ensure that all benefits will continue to be paid in full and on time for the foreseeable future by requiring billionaires to pay their fair share.