Press Release
Image provided by WGAL
ADVOCATE GROUPS HOSTING WATCH PARTY FOR PA HOUSE LABOR & INDUSTRY COMMITTEE’S VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING
PITTSBURGH- Tomorrow, January 27th at 9:45 AM, the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee will be hosting a virtual public hearing that will feature acting PA Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (DL&I), Jennifer Berrier. Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid, the Mon Valley Unemployed Committee, and Restaurant Opportunities Center of Pittsburgh are encouraging those who have been having difficulties navigating PA’s unemployment system to watch the event to learn more about the current and future state of benefits in the commonwealth.
“Unemployed people in Pennsylvania are desperate. Hundreds of thousands have had their benefits cut off. Their calls and emails go unanswered and cannot understand directions being sent by the DL&I officials. While we understand that the delay in implementing these much needed benefits was the result of delays on the part of the Federal government, we call upon the State to work with us to fix the existing system now said Barney Oursler, Director of the Mon Valley Unemployed Committee.
From PRWA co-founder Kacy McGill “Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid started through the creation of our Facebook Group to provide a virtual space for restaurant workers to share their experiences and resources with each other. From the start of the group we received an overwhelming response in regards to problems with unemployment compensation. To this date, our largest threads remain unemployment questions with thousands of comments spelling out the problems experienced with our current system. Even though Restaurant Workers make up about 10% of the workforce in the United States, we are 70% of the unemployed population in this country. We need bold changes now to support thousands of restaurant families.”
Just earlier today, the PA Department of L&I held a Facebook Live event where acting Secretary Berrier provided a press update on the recent Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) implementations in the state. During that 25-minute long event, there were over 26,000 views and over 6,000 comments during the livestream from Pennsylvanians with questions, concerns and frustrations about their experience with the department.
Those interested in watching the PA House Labor and Industry Committee hearing are encouraged to do so by visiting https://www.facebook.com/events/742624643325707 and using the livestream link provided on the Facebook event page.
For more information Contact: Barney Oursler at 412-370-8567 or Taylor Stessney at 814-414-1602
