Privatization Update: Turzai delays vote on bill to sell the stores, HB 11! The battle enters a new phase.

 (Tuesday, June 19, 2012) -- The fight against House Majority Leader Mike Turzai’s scheme to privatize PA's Wine and Spirits stores took a new turn today as the State Representive from western Pennsylvania announced that he will delay a vote on his bill until the fall.  Turzai had been seeking a vote since Monday, June 11.

Locals 1776 and 23 maintained a steady and forceful presence in the State Capitol for the past two weeks.  They did so while Rep. Turzai threatened to force a vote on his legislation, HB 11. almost every day.  Officers, staff and members sported the UFCW's lively gold shirts while visiting every member of the House of Representatives. 

The UFCW's overwhelming visibility demonstrated how serious we are in proving that privatization is wrong for all Pennsylvanian taxpayers, consumers and communities.
 
Wendell W. Young, IV, Chair of the UFCW of PA Wine and Spirits Council and President of UFCW Local 1776, said that the two Locals and their allies around the state will focus now on passage of modernization legislation to make the stores more efficient and generate additional revenues for the state. They'll also continue to explain to our legislators that Turzai’s bill would cost us our jobs, raise taxes and prices for all customers and endanger our communities.  For a copy of Young's statement to the new media from today, visit here. And for a copy of Young's message to Local 1776's Wine and Spirits members, visit here.
 

We still need continuous support from our members to eliminate Rep. Terzai's reckless and irresponsible bill once and for all.  Even if you've done so already, continue calling your State Representative and let him or her know that Turzai’s plan is wrong for all Pennsylvanians.  We can expect Rep. Turzai to continue to use every resource he has to pick up the votes of the undecided members.  He's even going after our supporters.  Visit here to get your State Representative’s name and phone number.  Please round up your family, friends and neighbors to continue to call and urge your Representative to vote NO on the issue.  Whether a PLCB employee or not, all Local 1776 members can show their support for their Union family with calls to their Representatives.  This issue affects all Pennsylvania consumers and tax payers.  The message is simple: Please vote no on privatization.
 

We’ll keep you informed as events develop in Harrisburg.  For more photos of the action in Harrisburg, visit here. 

Above, UFCW Local 1776 President Wendell W. Young IV, officers, staff and members continue the fight against privatization in Harrisburg.

UFCW members and AFL-CIO building trades apprentices stand with each other to preserve the Wine and Spirits Stores.

Above, Local 1776 Union Represen-tative Eric Thomas (left) and Wine and Spirits member Tim Long, of Elizabethtown, PA prepare to visit House members in Harrisburg.  Left, Union Representative Chris Snyder (left) and former Excecutive Board member John Chernesky listen to briefing before hitting the hallways.  Below, (from left) Union Represen-tatives Mark Lawyer, Mark Jacobs, Eric Thomas and Bellew Afsa listen to an update between office vists.