Thank You Front-Line Workers for Braving the Storm

While most Pennsylvanians are gathering supplies and hunkering down ahead of what is set to be a record-breaking winter storm this weekend, members of AFSCME Council 13 will head into the snow and ice to plow and treat the roads, among other vital public services.

Plow crews for PennDOT, as well as local municipalities, will work around the clock to get our communities moving as quickly and safely as possible.

Jim Kleiner, President of AFSCME Local 2160 in Northampton County, recently spoke with The Keystone about how he and 60 of his coworkers with PennDOT will be working 12-hour shifts to keep the roads clear.

“ I think it's important that people know that, us operators, we care about what the roads look like. We care for our job, we care for the public safety,” Kleiner said.

“ AFSCME Council 13 really takes pride in public safety and this is just one of the things that they take care of. They take care of us and we try to take care of everybody else.”

We also want to thank the healthcare professionals, law enforcement and correctional officers, and all front-line first responders who have to report for duty while everyone else stays home.

On behalf of everyone at Council 13 and all Pennsylvanians, we thank the dedicated workers who always brave the storm year-round. Stay safe!

In Solidarity,
Jim Howell
Administrator, AFSCME Council 13