Good evening everyone,

Today is Thursday, and welcome back another edition of the Keystone Labor Report. 

There’s still some time to attend the Pa. Farm Show and grab your milkshake and cheese cubes if you haven’t had the opportunity to yet, but you’ll have to act quickly, because it wraps up this Saturday.

(International Association of Machinists)

Roughly 250 workers from Erie’s Parker Lord plant walked off the job earlier this week after members from International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local 1211 voted to go on strike over unresolved economic issues. 

It is the first strike at the manufacturing plant in over 50 years. Members last went on strike in 1974. According to the union, the relationship between Parker Hannifin and the union has deteriorated since the company purchased the LORD Corporation in 2019. 

Union members are looking for raises that keep pace with inflation and cost of living increases over the past five years while the company has refused to offer workers an adequate economic proposal. 

“Our members have shown patience and professionalism for years,” IAM District 98 Assistant Directing Business Representative Kermit Forbes said in a statement. “But after decades without a strike, this vote reflects how serious these economic concerns have become and how determined our members are to fight for fair wages and respect on the job.”

Pennsylvania’s richest billionaire, Jeffrey Yass, can now add the title “landlord” to his resume after purchasing a bevy of historical buildings in the Main Line’s Gladwynne community. 

Yass purchased the former Gladwyne Market, the Village Shoppes, some residential properties, the Gladwyne Post Office building, and the former OMG Hair Salon.

Residents of the small town are concerned about Yass’ revitalization plans, and it raises the question whether or not a random billionaire should be allowed to purchase a small town for philanthropic reasons. 

(Sean Kitchen / The Keystone)

One thing I want to work on in the coming weeks is finding ways to incorporate campaign coverage into my newsletter, since we’re living in the most talked about swing state in the country and have important races happening this year on both state and federal levels. 

With the crowds subsiding a bit from the weekend, Gov. Josh Shapiro walked through the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Wednesday. One of the things that has always impressed me is Shapiro’s popularity with ordinary people who aren’t terminally online or super engaged in politics.

Shapiro is heading into reelection as one of the most popular governors in recent Pennsylvania history with his approval rating sitting near 60% and support among Republicans hovering close to 25%. 

This was on full display while Shapiro was walking through the Farm Show, milkshake in hand, stopping to take photos and selfies with attendees and their children every 15 to 20 seconds. 

You can see how Shapiro made this woman’s week, along with her friends’, as he was leaving the complex.