Josh Shapiro rallies in Pittsburgh, vows to create more labor protections for Pa. workers if elected governor

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro said Monday during a campaign rally in Pittsburgh that he would work to create more labor protections for Pennsylvania workers if elected governor in November.

Shapiro, the state’s attorney general, faces Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano in the general election.

On Monday, Shapiro visited the Smithfield United Church of Christ in Downtown. About 60 health care workers, local Starbucks employees and other union members joined him.

“I stand on the side of Pennsylvania workers,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro said there is a stark contrast between his support for unions and Mastriano’s. He said Mastriano supports “right to work” laws that would make it optional for workers to pay union dues at unionized workplaces. Critics have said these laws undermine efforts for workers to form labor unions.

Mastriano’s campaign didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Shapiro said he would veto any right-to-work legislation. He added that he would support workers’ efforts across the state to unionize.

“I am not afraid to take on big fights,” he said, alluding to efforts as attorney general in taking on powerful industries like UPMC and his probe into sexual assault at the Catholic Church.

Starbucks barista Jacob Welsh, who earlier this year helped to organize workers at the Starbucks in Bloomfield and form the state’s first Starbucks union, spoke in support of Shapiro at the rally.

This month, the National Labor Relations Board issued an unfair labor practices complaint against Starbucks and its treatment of workers who unionized at four Pittsburgh stores. The complaint said the company threatened employees by telling them they would not receive previously announced pay raises and increased benefits if they unionized.

In a statement released last week, Starbucks said: “We believe this complaint is without merit and intend to defend against the alleged violation. To date, Starbucks has not been found to be in violation of any of the allegations.”

Allegheny County has seen some of the highest numbers of Starbucks stores successfully unionize in the country, as 10 stores within the county have voted to unionize, according to advocacy group More Perfect Union Action.

Nila Payton, a longtime worker at UPMC Presbyterian, said that health care workers at UPMC and hospitals across the region are struggling with staffing shortages.

She said UPMC workers have been trying to form a union for years, and have been met with strong pushback from management. She said UPMC workers have struggled with medical debt from their own organization and are looking for better pay and support. She praised Shapiro for supporting a $15 minimum wage for Pennsylvania.

“Every worker deserves to organize a union without fear from their bosses,” Payton said.

UPMC did not immediately to a request for comment.