Philadelphia Unemployment Project

A History of Organizing for Justice 1975-2010

Fighting for Fair Wages and Jobs for over 30 Years [Video: Philadelphia Unemployment Project Celebrates 30 Years of Grassroots Struggle] You will need the most recent Quick Time player to play the video. You can download it free here.

Since 1975, the Philadelphia Unemployment Project has organized the poor and unemployed to fight for economic justice, bringing diverse groups together to bring about major changes that benefit millions of unemployed and impoverished. PUP has helped the unemployed link with coalition partners in the labor, religious, community civil rights and women’s movements to increase our power. Our victories prove that, once organized, working people and the unemployed can be a powerful voice in the city, state, and nation.
PUP’s sister organization the Unemployment Information Center has also played a important role by providing research, direct services and organizing support to jobless Philadelphians and PUP since 1976.

Below are some of the many accomplishments in which PUP and UIC played key roles:

The enforcement of the federal Hill-Burton Act, which required hospitals to provide free care to lower income uninsured persons.
The continuation of Federal Supplemental Compensation Unemployment Benefits when they were scheduled to be slashed in 1977.
The 1979 delay in the lay-offs of 3,300 Philadelphia CETA workers. Hundreds were transferred into civil service jobs and remained employed.
A three-year extension of ITE-Gould circuit breaker plant’s Philadelphia contract in 1979 after its closing had been announced.
The largest severance package ever given to a Container Corporation of America plant when it closed.
An increase in severance benefits, pensions, and health benefits for workers of the closed Eaton Corporation fork-lift plant.
The passage of legislation in 1982 to require 60 days’ notice prior to a plant shutdown, the nation’s first municipal plant closing ordinance.
The preservation of over $250 million in Pennsylvania state taxes for critical programs in 1981, 1982, and 1983.
The extension of federal Unemployment Compensation from 39 to 49 weeks in August of 1982.
A decision in 1982 by Lansdowne Steel and Iron not to relocate to West Virginia but to renew its commitment to the area.
Creation of the National Unemployed Network, in 1983 a coalition of unemployed councils.
A moratorium on all sheriff sales in Philadelphia in 1983 that lasted over a year.
The passage of the Homeowner’s Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) in December of 1983, the nation’s first mortgage assistance program.
An end to mandatory overtime for American Postal Workers in 1984, creating 500 new jobs.
PGW’s 1984 adoption of more liberal termination and reinstatement policies, and a moratorium on winter gas shut-offs for many homes.
A temporary extension of Federal Supplemental Compensation Benefits for over 340,000 unemployed nationwide in early 1985.
Agreements with seven local hospitals in the1980’s to admit unemployed and poor who lack insurance.
In 1989, the first increase in the state minimum wage since 1981.
Prevention of the closing or privatization of Philadelphia Public Health Centers in 1988 and 1989.
The 1991 passage of City Council’s landmark legislation guaranteeing a minimum level of services at City Health Centers.
The extension of Unemployment Compensation benefits in qualified states from 26 to 39 weeks in 1991 and expanding to 59 weeks in 1992.
Prevention of cuts to General Assistance in the summer of 1993.
Laying the groundwork for employment experience programs like Philadelphia@Work (1998), and the Work Opportunities program (1999) through a campaign demanding public jobs in light of welfare reform.
An agreement in 1999 by Tenet Healthcare to adopt a formal policy which would allow treatment for the uninsured in its local facilities.
The creation of the “Adult Basic Care” plan in 2001, which provided coverage for low-income Pennsylvanians.
A 13-week extension of unemployment benefits in March of 2002, which especially aided workers who were laid off as a result of 9-11.
A temporary moratorium on Sheriff Sales in March of 2004.
The decision of several of Philadelphia’s largest foreclosure law firms to reduce their fees to homeowners by over 60% in 2004.
The 40% reduction of fees that the sheriff charges to homeowners threatened with foreclosure, also in 2004.
The establishment in September 2005 of guidelines with the city for making reasonable payment plans for low-income people who owe back taxes.
The agreement in mid-September for the sheriff to reduce the length of Sheriff Sale advertisements by over 40%, which should allow a reduction in fees.
Led the campaign in 2005 and 2006 that increased the PA minimum by $2.00 per hour beginning July 1, 2006.
Launched an innovative reverse commute program in 2006, Commuter Options, which provides vehicles for inner city workers to commute to suburban jobs. Up to 32 vans take up to 130 workers to better paying suburban jobs daily.
Organized homeowners to fight sub prime mortgage foreclosures which in 2008 led to creation of a national model program in the Philadelphia courts requiring mortgage companies to negotiate with homeowners prior to completing a foreclosure. Large numbers of loan modifications and other work outs prevented thousands of foreclosures through the Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program.
Organized wide spread public support for reform of the nation’s health care system, including building a state wide coalition, the PA Health Access Network. Hundreds were engaged in the issue from across Pennsylvania and made a contribution to the ultimate passage of federal health care reform in 2010
Pressed for and won a public jobs program using federal stimulus dollars which the state had been unwilling to use. The Way to Work program started in 2010 and created over 12,000 jobs state wide and nearly 4,000 in Philadelphia with wages of up to $13 per hour.
Led a national campaign to use federal funds to aid unemployed homeowners facing foreclosure. Over $106 Million were ticketed to PA and over $4 Billion were made available nationally to supplement the original Obama mortgage program that was mainly designed for sub prime foreclosures.

Amidst all these larger victories and issue-based campaigns, UIC has also assisted thousands of individual unemployed and low-income workers in their job searches and in their dealings with tax and mortgage problems, unemployment compensation, welfare, health care, and much more as the organization works to protect individuals and families facing hard times. PUP and UIC will continue their work on a large scale and on the level of the individual as long as there is need.