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Recognizing December 5th as AFL-CIO Day in Philadelphia in honor of the decades of tireless work that the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations has done on behalf of working Philadelphians and Americans.
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WHEREAS, The AFL-CIO formed on December 5, 1955, following a merger between the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations, creating the largest federation of unions in the country. The Federation continues to be the largest of its kind and represents more than twelve million active and retired workers; and
WHEREAS, Due in no small part to the size and scope of its membership, the AFL-CIO has played a significant role in the United States’ political process at all levels of government, lending its organizing expertise in the electoral process and fearlessly advocating for workers’ rights to be addressed at both the negotiating table and the floors of city halls, state legislatures, and the United States Congress; and
WHEREAS, The AFL-CIO actively raises awareness of issues facing American workers such as gender equality, the pay gap, labor laws, workplace safety, and immigration and labor, on both a local and global stage; and
WHEREAS, Workers across the region have directly benefited from the organization of the AFL-CIO Philadelphia Council—led by President Patrick Eiding, who has been at the Council’s helm for five consecutive terms since 2002—which consists of over 100 local labor unions representing 200,000 workers; and
WHEREAS, The AFL-CIO Philadelphia Council enhances its members’ lives through benefits such as mortgage assistance, insurance plans, an array of scholarships that has amounted to over four million dollars for union members and their children in the past 25 years to further their education and training, and opportunities to travel, resulting in an improved quality of life for Philadelphia workers; and
WHEREAS, The AFL-CIO Philadelphia Council does not limit its impact to our City, but works to bring our country closer together by highlighting AFL-CIO initiatives such as the North Carolina Workers Relief Fund, which is designed to aid North Carolina citizens in the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricane Florence; and
WHEREAS, Under the direction of Patrick Eiding, who has dedicated his own life to improving the lives of Philadelphia workers, having worked with and in unions since 1963 and been continuously involved with Philadelphia-area boards and commissions, the AFL-CIO remains a champion of justice in the City and beyond; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That we recognize and honor the AFL-CIO, the AFL-CIO Philadelphia Council, and Patrick Eiding and declare December 5th to be AFL-CIO Day in the City of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be passed to Patrick Eiding, further evidencing the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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