Pittsburgh United | Unions and Neighborhoods Invested in Transforming Economic Development

Contact Information

841 California Avenue
Third Floor
Pittsburgh
PA
15212
412-231-8648
boursler@msn.com
http://www.pittsburghunited.org

Our Mission

Pittsburgh UNITED strives to advance social and economic justice in the Pittsburgh region by working to ensure that working families and low and moderate-income communities are able to share in the prosperity that is generated by economic growth and development.

Our Issues

Pittsburgh UNITED develops and supports campaigns that address social inequality at its root causes.  CBA's can be an effective mechanism for winning concrete benefits for not only poor and working-class neighborhoods but also for our local economy as a whole.  In addition to campaigning around specific CBA campaigns, Pittsburgh UNITED engages in coalition work and advocacy around our core issues.  

Our Impact

Pittsburgh UNITED staffed the successful One Hill CBA Coalition in its two year struggle with the developers of a new hockey arena winning the first CBA in Pennsylvania in 2008. The CBA includes local hiring for union construction and permanent jobs in all development relating to the arena, a community controlled human services fund ($6 million), new grocery store and community center and community control of the master plan for that section of the city.

In 2010 the organization passed city and county legislation requiring all publically subsidized development pay 'Prevailing Wages' for permanent service jobs in hotel, grocery store, food service and building maintenance industries. In July the coalition won passage of a city Clean Water bill requiring that publically subsidized development meet Federal standards dramatically reducing storm water runoff. A Clean Air bill was passed in 2011requiring that construction diesel engines be retrofitted with the best available technology.

News Articles

Paid Sick Days Advocates Prevail in Pittsburgh

Heather Appel | July 18, 2019

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that Pittsburgh can require private employers to provide paid sick leave. The ruling turns back an industry challenge to Pittsburgh’s landmark law that provides paid sick leave to an estimated 50,000 low wage workers. 

State Interference Prevents Gender and Racial Equality

Heather Appel | May 7, 2019

In a new report released today, the Partnership for Working Families exposes the ways that state legislators, influenced by their corporate donors, perpetuate racial and gender inequity in housing and wages. The report, “For All of Us, By All of Us: Challenging State Interference to Advance Gender and Racial Justice,” examines case studies in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Tennessee and Louisiana that document the disproportionate consequences of preemption on women and women of color.

Community Activists in “shortlist” cities to Amazon: Negotiate with us, if you want to bring in HQ2

Heather Appel | April 10, 2018

April 9 - Activists from cities that have been placed on the “shortlist” for Amazon’s second headquarters will launch a series of actions this week, demanding that the company negotiate with communities that will be impacted by its effects on jobs, housing and public services. 

Historic CBA Signed in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh UNITED | August 28, 2008

One Hill CBA Campaign

One Hill Coalition Achieves Historic Milestone

Pittsburgh UNITED | May 18, 2008

By Tom Hoffman, Pittsburgh UNITED Executive Director

Pittsburgh UNITED Wins the Opportunity to Negotiate a CBA for N

Pittsburgh UNITED | March 21, 2008

By Natalie Greene, Pittsburgh UNITED Researcher

Two significant events coincided on March 14th on the 3rd Floor of the David L.

Employment Opportunities

  • Deputy Regional Organizing Director

    Title: Deputy Organizing Director, Southwest PA
    Reports to: Regional Organizing Director
    Location: Pennsylvania - must be within a two hour drive of State College and Greensburg
    To Apply: Email jobs@paunited.org with a resume and cover letter; subject line “Deputy Organizing Director.” Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

  • Housing Justice Coalition Organizer

    Pittsburgh United is seeking an experienced, creative, and dedicated leader for the Housing Justice Coalition Organizer position. With more than 25 active coalition partners, the Housing Justice Table at Pittsburgh United presents an incredible opportunity to affect change in a mid-sized City.

  • Digital Organizer

    The Digital Organizer is part of a team of organizers working together to build a powerful organization for working class people. The Digital Organizer is responsible for developing online strategies that build the overall narrative of Pittsburgh United and the narratives of its core campaigns. The digital organizer will be responsible for working with campaign organizers to develop and execute digital strategy and tactics that compliment the overall strategies of campaign tables.