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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Mike Sturla Chairman, Democratic Policy Committee | State Rep. Maria Donatucci D-Phila./Delaware Hearing Co-chair |
Democratic Policy Committee explores job impacts
related to pending oil refinery closures
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 23 – Members of the House Democratic Policy Committee heard from labor leaders at a public hearing today in Philadelphia to consider the potential impacts to the communities around southeast Pennsylvania’s oil refineries pending their closure.
State Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, requested the hearing and served as its chair.
The hearing looked specifically at the consequences the closures may have on jobs in the Commonwealth’s southeastern communities.
“As our economy recovers it is as important to retain jobs as to create them,” Sturla said. “Representative Donatucci has been a strong, vocal and effective advocate for her community, especially in regards to protecting jobs at southeast Pennsylvania’s oil refineries.”
“In this whole process, the people most effected by the closings and possible sales are being left in the dark, not just by the owners, but by the governor,” said Donatucci. “They don’t know what’s being done to try to avert further closings, what the prospects are for them to be re-opened by new owners and when, or even if, they could be re-hired by new owners.
She added, “The governor, who should be leading the fight for the jobs being lost, is being almost as mysterious as the owners. We’ve got 2,000 workers and their families and merchants and municipalities that depend on those jobs. They’re left in the dark and the governor’s treating it like it’s no big deal.”
Those testifying at the hearing included Nancy Minor, vice president, United Steelworkers 10-1; Dave Miller, executive vice president, United Steelworkers 10-901; Denis Stefano, president, United Steelworkers 10-234; John Clark, business manager, Boilermakers Local 13; Tom Gallo, business manager, Steamfitters Local 420; and Pat Eiding, president, Philadelphia AFL/CIO.
For more information about the Policy Committee and hearing materials, visit www.pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee.
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