Our Philadelphia

Representative, District 184

Keller's Top Donors, 2001-2008

1	International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers	$488,800
2	Cement Masons Local 592	$49,400
3	International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 21	$33,000
4	International Longshoreman's Association	$30,500
5	Reinforced Iron Workers Local 405 PAC	$29,000

About Keller's Top Donors

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Gov. Ed Rendell called IBEW “the most politically influential union around,” in an April 30, 2008 article in the Philadelphia City Paper. As long-time leader of the IBEW and former treasurer of the city Democratic Party, John Dougherty has been a kingmaker in city politics, and an endorsement from Dougherty is often followed by an infusion of campaign cash from other sources, and volunteers to help with getting out the vote. The extent to which Dougherty and IBEW depend upon campaign contributions to wield influence was dramatized in 2007 when Dougherty joined U.S. Rep. Chakah Fattah in filing a lawsuit alleging that Philadelphia did not have the power to limit campaign contributions to candidates in city elections. As part of their lawyers’ arguments in Nutter v. Dougherty, et al, it was alleged that the Pennsylvania General Assembly had intended to preempt any municipality in the state from making its own campaign finance laws. Dougherty and IBEW have also been strong supporters of expanding legalized gambling and building casinos in Philadelphia, in part because of the potential contracts for IBEW members.

Cement Masons Local 592

“Since 1916 all the major concrete in this area was done by members of our local,” says the website of Greater Philadelphia’s Cement Masons Local 592. “Power plants and high rises, bridges and highways, sidewalks and curbs are all our legacy.” This union’s national website elaborates, “Union members finish interior walls and ceilings of buildings and apply plaster on masonry, metal, and wire lath or gypsum. Cement masons are responsible for all concrete construction, including pouring and finishing of slabs, steps, wall tops, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, paving and other concrete construction.” The union has made more than $400,000 in campaign contributions in Pennsylvania since 2001. Union pressure for city government to create jobs and the sometimes intense back-and-forth between union officials and elected officials was highlighted by a November 15, 2002 Inquirer article about City Councilmen Frank DiCicco and James Kenney asking to be escorted from city council chambers by security after claiming they felt physically intimidated by Michael Fera, President of Local 592, and by a representative from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Both unions were in attendance to oppose a DiCicco bill that could have affected the construction of a new Ikea store in South Philadelphia.

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 21

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 21 includes painters, drywall finishers, wallcoverers, glaziers, glass workers, floor covering installers, sign makers, display workers, and convention and show decorators. City and state support for construction projects is a key part of generating jobs for IUPAT, and its President James A. Williams estimated in a 9/7/09 Inquirer article that there is $175 million in painting to be done on bridges around Philadelphia. Interestingly, one of IUPAT’s political directors, Joe Ashdale, has also served as chair of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and was appointed to the PPA’s board as part of the state takeover of the Authority in 2001. In 2006, Ashdale joined a group that included Laborers District Council leader Sam Staten in bidding for a casino license in Philadelphia. This raises the question of whether IUPAT itself has lobbied in support of expanding legalized gambling. IUPAT is not registered to lobby with the state, and Philadelphia does not require lobbyists to register. At the national level, IUPAT has lobbied in support of health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for workers to form unions without going through a secret ballot election.

International Longshoreman's Association

http://www.ilaunion.org/

Reinforced Iron Workers Local 405 PAC

http://www.ironworkerslocal405.org/