Apr. 21, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny/Washington) today voted in favor of
House Bill 874, legislation that would close a loophole that has permitted parties in labor disputes to engage in stalking, harassment and threats of violence. The bill passed 109-84 and is headed to the Senate for further consideration.
“Threatening, stalking and harassing individuals are unacceptable behaviors,” said Saccone. “It is an outrage that our state’s archaic labor laws permit this activity. Today’s vote sends a strong message to those who seek scare and bully others into submission, letting them know Pennsylvanians have zero tolerance for such tactics in labor disputes.”
Currently, Pennsylvania’s criminal code, Title 18, exempts management and organized labor from prosecution for harassment, stalking and threatening to use weapons of mass destruction. It is illegal to call in a bomb scare, or stalk people or their kids, except if the caller or stalker is involved in a labor dispute.
This exception was brought to light last year when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested 10 members of Philadelphia Ironworkers Local 401, including union leadership, for aiding racketeering and arson, and indicted them under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
According to the indictment, union members repeatedly threatened non-union construction employers with violence unless they hired a certain amount of union members. The indictment noted violence was “deeply ingrained in the structure of their organization.” Federal prosecutors brought charges against 12 members of Philadelphia Ironworkers Local 401, and most pled guilty before trial.
“When I tell people back home that there is an exception for labor disputes for stalking, harassment and terroristic threats, they are shocked,” said Saccone. “No one should have an exception for these heinous acts.”
Saccone added, “When the feds step in and say union harassment is at unacceptable levels, you know it’s serious, especially with an Obama administration that’s all but in the pockets of organized labor. Legislative action is long overdue.”
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Representative Rick Saccone
39th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Ryan Travis
rtravis@pahousegop.com
RepSaccone.com /
Facebook.com/RepSaccone