Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has garnered the support of union leaders, including teachers’ unions, despite his past support for education vouchers, while Arizona Senator Mark Kelly has fended off criticism that he is not supportive enough of unions and has voiced new support for the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act).
More than 50 local union leaders endorsed Shapiro this weekend, including two of Pennsylvania’s largest teachers unions, the Pennsylvania Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which both disagree with Shapiro’s stance on education vouchers but appreciate the increase in the education budget.
“Governor Shapiro knows better than anyone that we don’t need to agree on every issue to keep getting things done. Recent history has taught us that even among our working class allies, we don’t always see eye to eye politically. That’s why it’s more important than ever to elevate elected officials with the leadership to hold the Democratic coalition together,” the letter said.
AFT President Randi Weingarten is a vocal opponent of school choice, making headlines last year when she said, “School privatization and voucher systems are an undermining of democracy.”
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Shapiro supported education voucher programs during his 2022 campaign and has voiced support for them as governor, but recently abandoned the effort after budget negotiations with a divided state Legislature stalled.
The plan would create publicly funded scholarships to allow students from low-performing public schools to attend the private schools of their choice.
Weingarten has not spoken about the vice presidential race, but a source close to Weingarten told Fox News that the two have a close personal relationship, and Weingarten said she expects the school voucher debate to remain a state issue because the Democratic National Committee’s education platform opposes school choice.
“I’ve had countless requests this week to give my opinion on the vice presidential candidates, particularly Josh Shapiro. I have not expressed an opinion and I don’t intend to do so publicly,” Weingarten told Fox after Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the AFT conference in Houston on Thursday.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event at Westover High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on July 18, 2024. (Alison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images)
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, a network of more than 20 public education advocacy groups pressured Harris last week to remove Shapiro from the running because of his support for education vouchers.
“We respectfully urge you not to elect Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who has supported education policies similar to Project 2025.” The letter reads:.
Weingarten has not commented on the letter, but Pennsylvania’s Shapiro followed suit and voiced his support.
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Sources close to Weingarten stressed that the Pennsylvania chapter’s endorsement should not be seen as Weingarten endorsing one vice presidential candidate over another.
Meanwhile, Sen. Kelly, following criticism for being one of only three members of the Democratic caucus to refrain from co-sponsoring the bill, has said he will vote in favor of the PRO Act, which would make it easier for workers to form and join labor unions.
“Why would Democrats even consider a senator as a vice presidential nominee if the senator doesn’t support the PRO Act,” John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union, told ABC News last week.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) speaks with reporters as he waits to board the Senate subway from the U.S. Capitol to the Hart Senator’s Office Building, in Washington, DC, on July 25, 2024. Multiple media outlets are reporting that Kelly, a senator from Arizona and former astronaut, is one of many candidates being considered to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Similarly, former AFL-CIO organizing director Richard Bensinger told X, “Only three Democrats refused to sign the PRO Act, one of them being Mark Kelly. That’s a firm refusal because the right to organize a union is the most important thing to workers.”
In response to the outcry, Kelly insisted in an interview that he has always supported the bill and intended to vote in favor.
Below is a letter of support for Shapiro from 50 Pennsylvania labor leaders, provided to FOX by affiliated organizations.
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A Message to My Democratic Brothers
There are more than 500,000 union members in Pennsylvania, and they play a vital role not only in the workplace but also in our neighborhoods and communities. Organized labor built the Pennsylvania and the United States we know and love today. At its core, being part of a union means belonging to a community that respects the rights and dignity of ordinary people. At this moment in history, the role of unions is more important than ever, and we take seriously the promise that our elected officials will support and promote the union way of life. No one has held fast to that promise to workers more firmly than Governor Josh Shapiro.
Governor Shapiro’s leadership has not only protected our rights, it has also fostered a climate of economic stability and opportunity. From expanding apprenticeships to investing in workforce development to defending against attacks on collective bargaining, Governor Shapiro’s efforts have played a critical role in improving the lives of working Pennsylvanians. The Governor’s words demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges our members face, and his actions demonstrate his commitment to creating an inclusive state where all workers have the freedom to shape their own path and the opportunity to thrive.
“As we navigate these unprecedented and challenging times, it is encouraging to have leaders like Governor Shapiro who are unwaveringly committed to the needs and concerns of working families. His commitment to upholding the principles of fairness, equality and justice in the workplace sets an admirable example for leaders across the nation.”
As the only governor in the nation with a divided Legislature, Gov. Shapiro knows better than anyone that we don’t need to agree on every issue to get things done.
“Recent history teaches us that even among our working class allies, we do not always agree politically. That’s why it’s more important than ever to elevate officeholders whose leadership will hold our democratic coalition together and remind us, above all, that we share a vision for a fairer, stronger, more inclusive commonwealth and state. Governor Shapiro stands with us every day in the fight for that vision, and even in the midst of turmoil, we remain united by our shared interest in advocating for workers and investing in workers, families and communities.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro attended the Wawa Welcome American Freedom Celebration in Philadelphia on July 4, 2023. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
Now more than ever, our country needs leaders who are on the side of working people. Make no mistake: Governor Shapiro has always had us on his side, and the men and women of labor will continue to have him on their side.
In solidarity,
Steven M. Aldrich, Business Manager – IBEW Local 269
Philip Ameris, president of the Pennsylvania Council of Laborers Districts; Robert Baer, president of the Pennsylvania Building Contractors Association; Alick Baker, president of the Pennsylvania Building Contractors Association;
President/Assistant Business Manager – IBEW Local 459 Daniel Bauder, President – Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO Tricia Burns Vargo, Business Manager – IATSE Local 8
Greg Bernarding, Business Manager – Pittsburgh Area Building Industry Greg Boulware, President – AFSCME DC 33
Kevin C. Boyle, Business Manager – Ironworkers Local 401
Ryan N. Boyer, Business Manager – Philadelphia Building Contractors Association Kenneth J. Broadbent, Business Manager – Steamfitters Local 449
Robert Brooks, President – Pennsylvania Association of Professional Firefighters
Brian J. Bush, Business Manager – Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 19
Aaron Chapin, PSEA President
James Cassidy, Business Manager – Insulators Local 2
Rob Cellucci, Business Manager – Insulators & Allied Workers Local 14
Angela Ferritto, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President
Dionne Gary, Vice President – 1199C National Hospital and Healthcare Workers Union
April Giggetts, Chair – AFSCME DC 47
William Hamilton, President of the Pennsylvania Teamsters Association
James Harper Jr., Business Manager – Laborers Union Local 413
Bernie Hall, Director – USW District 10
Darin Kelly, President – Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council AFL-CIO
Chuck Knisel, Vice President – United Mine Workers of America District 2
Mark Lynch Jr., Business Manager – IBEW Local 98
Kenneth M. Mash, Chairman – APSCUF
Fran McLaughlin, Business Manager – IUPAT District Council 21
Thomas C. Melisko Jr., Business Manager – IUOE Local 66
Sean McCullough, Business Manager – Roofers and Waterproofers Local 30
Thomas R. McIntyre, Business Manager – IBEW Local 5
Chuck McQuilkin, Vice President – Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedics, IAFF Local 22
Brad Mikatavage, Business Manager – Boilermakers Local 13
Wayne Miller, Business Manager – Sprinklerfitters Local 692
George C. Pegram, Business Manager – Plumbers Union Local 690
Dennis Pagliotti, Business Manager – Bricklayers & Allied Craftsworkers Local 1
James Riley, Business Manager – IUOE Local 542
Ralph Sciclo, President – Pittsburgh Firefighter, IAFF Local 1
Michael Stanton, Chairman – Boilermakers Local 154
Samuel Staten Jr., Business Manager – Laborers Union Local 332
Arthur Steinberg, President – AFT Pennsylvania
William C. Sproule, Secretary and Treasurer – Eastern Atlantic States Regional Woodworkers Association
James Snell, Business Manager – Steamfitters Local 420
Mike Sukal, Administrator – AFSCME Council 13
Joseph G. Swenglish, Sr. National Representative – Utility Workers Region 2
Stephen Sweeney, Administrator – Rebar Worker 405
Esteban Vera Jr., Business Manager – Laborers Union Local 57
Mark Wildsmith, Business Manager – Cement Masons Union Local 592
Joseph M. Williams, Business Manager – Elevators Local 5
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Wendell Young IV, President – UFCW Local 1776
Ross Nicotero III, President – ATU Local 85
