PHILADELPHIA, PA − Mayo 14, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine ways to protect Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and economy with a skilled, protected, and reliable workforce.
“The testimony we heard today from stakeholders sends a clear message: we must enact strong, effective policies to protect workers and ensure their safety,” said Senator Miller. “Senator Kane, along with Senators Tartaglione, L. Williams, and Robinson, are actively developing legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s Construction Workplace Misclassification Act. I look forward to supporting and advocating to protecting our workers and ensure fairness across our Commonwealth.”
“I’m really thankful for having this conversation in this location, a union house built by union people,” said Senator Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair. “Let’s go forward and make delivering more worker protections a reality.”
“We’re here because every worker in Pennsylvania deserves fair treatment, fair pay, and safe conditions—plain and simple,” said Senator Tartaglione. “I’ve spent my career fighting for these values, and I’m proud to stand with colleagues like Senator Miller as we push forward on legislation that reflects what workers have told us they need. With this momentum and the growing unity around these issues, I truly believe we can deliver real, lasting change.”
“Worker misclassification costs Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $141 million annually, but the human toll is even more devastating,” said Senator Kane. “This illegal practice strips hardworking Pennsylvania’s of basic protections like workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, and sick pay. These are real families who are struggling to make ends meet when these fundamental protections are denied. With SB 72, we have a real opportunity to crack down on these unfair practices and ensure Pennsylvania workers receive the pay, benefits, and respect they’ve earned. In addition to the harm to construction workers, our taxpayers are getting ripped off. It has to stop, and I won’t stop fighting until we get this done.”
“Worker safety is community safety. Across industries, workers are exposed to risks and hazards that are preventable—from bosses who steal wages through misclassification to the denial of collective rights when a business engages in union-busting,” said Senator Saval. “Drawing on Pennsylvania’s history of strong workplace protections, we can and must enshrine safety mechanisms to empower all workers, on and off the job.”
“Organizing is a fundamental responsibility in protecting workers and ensuring accountability to the taxpayers who support them,” said Senator Street. “It was great to hear testimony from the administration and frontline stakeholders who advocate for workers’ rights every day.”
Christopher Hallock, Deputy Secretary from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, testified that this is more than a worker’s issue.
“When employers misclassify workers, law-abiding businesses suffer because they are forced to compete in the marketplace on unequal terms against employers that are avoiding payroll tax contributions, unemployment compensation taxes, workers’ compensation insurance premiums, or paying overtime,” said Hallock. “Communities also suffer by not receiving the full amount of tax revenue they are owed. This means that parks, schools, and police and fire departments are all negatively impacted by misclassification, alongside further strain being placed on the healthcare system.”
Michael Ford, Secretary/Treasurer for the State Building Trades that represents 130,000 construction workers in the Commonwealth stated how this issue is affecting publicly funded jobsites.
“Contractors who break the rules by underpaying workers can underbid law-abiding companies,” said Ford. “This creates a race to the bottom, discouraging fair competition and driving down standards across the construction industry. This does nothing to help anyone in the process, except the bad actors who are reaping the benefits of underpaying their employees.”
Ed Dupree, an 8-year employee of Whole Foods and member of UFCW Local 1776, emphasized the importance of organizing a union.
“This hearing is about protecting our workers, and I can’t think of any better protection workers can have than forming a union,” said Dupree. “A union means a voice in the workplace. A union means a seat at the table. And my co-workers and I made a historic step when we were the first group of workers in the nation to successfully vote to unionize at an Amazon Whole Foods location on Enero 27, 2025.”
Dionne Gary, President of AFSCME District 1199C, NUHHCE, and the first Black woman to lead her union representing healthcare and childcare professionals in Philadelphia, testified in support of legislation, including House Bills 308, 812, 926, and 956, aimed at protecting the workforce.
“As someone who began organizing in 2000 at Hahnemann Hospital, and who’s stood beside workers in arbitration rooms, contract fights, and hospital hallways, I can tell you— these bills are not theoretical,” said Gary. “They are desperately needed, right now, in facilities across this state.”
The panelists for today’s hearing included:
- Chris Hallock, Deputy Secretary – Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
- Ron Meischker, Director of Industry & Labor Compliance – Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
- Thomas Lepera, Political Director – IBEW Local 98
- Joseph McMonigle, Business Agent – Plumber’s Local Union Local 690
- Tony Seiwell, International Representative – LIUNA
- Mike Ford, Secretary-Treasurer – Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council
- Bryan Bush, President/Business Manager – Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19
- Todd Farally, Political and Legislative Director – Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19
- Antione Little, Vice President – AFSCME District Council 33
- Ed Dupree, Member – UFCW 1776
- Dionee Gary, President – AFSCME District 1199C, NUHHCE
Senator Nick Miller was elected Policy Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus in Diciembre 2024. Today’s hearing was his sixth as Chair.
Testimony
Panel 1: Governor Shapiro’s Administration on the Current State of Affairs
- Chris Hallock, Deputy Secretary – Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Panel 2: Construction Worker Misclassification & Custom Fabrication
- Ron Meischker, Director of Industry & Labor Compliance – Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
- Thomas Lepera, Political Director – IBEW Local 98
- Joseph McMonigle, Business Agent – Plumber’s Local Union Local 690
- Tony Seiwell, International Representative – LIUNA
- Mike Ford, Secretary-Treasurer – Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council
- Bryan Bush, President/Business Manager – Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19
- Todd Farally, Political and Legislative Director – Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19
Panel 3: Workplace Safety
- Antione Little, Vice President – AFSCME District Council 33
- Ed Dupree, Member – UFCW 1776
Additional Testimony