Ed Gainey - another corrupt Democrat bought and paid for

[berryberry]

KDKA Investigates looks into SEIU Healthcare's influence over Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey's administration.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Who's running the city of Pittsburgh: Mayor Ed Gainey or SEIU Healthcare?

The health care union spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to get the mayor elected. A union vice president co-chaired his transition committee, and other former union officials now hold key positions in his administration.

The question is, is SEIU Healthcare actually dictating policy, orchestrating a war with UPMC by demanding the hospital giant allow the union to represent its health care workers?

KDKA-TV obtained emails to try to shed some light.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the new 17-story, $1.6 billion UPMC Presbyterian Hospital Tower, a project which will bring thousands of construction and permanent jobs to the city.

"All the folks who will come together to build this over the next couple of years, and the jobs that will be created here," Fitzgerald added at the groundbreaking on June 14, 2022.

Then-gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro attended the event, but conspicuously absent was Gainey, who since becoming mayor, has declined to attend all UPMC events. This includes the placement of the final beam at the new UPMC Mercy Hospital, another indication of bad blood between the city and the region's largest employer.

"Today, I am signing an executive order directing my law and finance department to conduct a review of properties owned by organizations claiming tax exemption based on their charitable status," Gainey said at a press conference on Jan. 24, 2023.

After taking office, Mayor Gainey had promised to meet with UPMC and the three other major non-profits -- Pitt, Carnegie Mellon University and Allegheny Health Network -- to negotiate PILOTS (payments to the city in lieu of taxes), but instead, he's now challenging the tax-exempt status of their individual properties.

"We are here to protect the taxpayer and make sure that everybody pays their fair share," said Mayor Gainey.

Multiple sources tell KDKA-TV talks between the city of Pittsburgh and UPMC broke down, not over money, but over Mayor Gainey's demand that UPMC allow SEIU Healthcare to represent its health care workers, leaving a $40 million commitment from UPMC on the table.

KDKA-TV asked Lisa Frank, the chief operating and administrative officer for the city of Pittsburgh, if the city demanded that UPMC allow the union at Presbyterian Hospital and throughout its system as part of these negotiations.

"The mayor, I think you know, has always been on the side of workers," Frank said in response.

SEIU Healthcare has tried unsuccessfully to unionize those workers for more than a decade and two years ago became the primary backer of Mayor Gainey's election campaign. According to campaign finance filings, it spent more than $350,000 to elect Gainey, more than all other contributors combined.

In turn, Gainey appointed SEIU vice president and political director Silas Russel to co-chair his transition committee and named others to key spots in his administration -- former SEIU Healthcare communications director Maria Montaño is his press secretary and the union's former vice president Lisa Frank is now the city's chief operating and administrative officer.

"The union's job is the union's job. The mayor's job is the mayor's job," said Frank when asked if the mayor is doing the union's bidding.

While Frank was evasive, the mayor's press secretary issued this statement denying the mayor demanded an SEIU union at his meeting with UPMC CEO Leslie Davis in June of 2022:

"The mayor has long been a supporter of the right of working people to come together for aa union and a voice at work ... In a meeting with UPMC, he asked them to sit down and listen to their workers, however, he has not made any demands."

The results of a KDKA Investigates Right to Know Request tell a different story. In the days before the meeting, there is a flurry of emails between local SEIU Healthcare head Russell and administration higher-ups preparing the mayor's talking points. They make explicit demands for a union with Russell actually dictating many of those points.

"You (Mayor Gainey) want to be able to have a partnership with UPMC, to collaborate with them on major development and social initiatives in the city ... Before that is possible however, you (Davis) need to commit to: A fair election arrangement with SEIU to bring an end to the long and contentious dispute between UPMC and its frontline workers."
After reviewing the first draft, Russell offers additional points such as: "You also believe that the workforce crisis in healthcare is so pressing we cannot afford to see continued conflict and disruption." Which are added verbatim to the final preparation notes then sent to the mayor.

Sources say UPMC rejected the demand, telling the mayor they are willing to discuss payments lieu of taxes but not their internal labor relations.

The two sides have not met since. UPMC declined comment, but in a statement, Russell defended SEIU Healthcare's influence saying, "Every health care worker should have the ability to form a union ... we think every elected official should be working to hold UPMC accountable and ensure hospital workers have a voice at work."

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/n...dministration/

[Cody69]

Originally Posted by berryberry

KDKA Investigates looks into SEIU Healthcare's influence over Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey's administration.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Who's running the city of Pittsburgh: Mayor Ed Gainey or SEIU Healthcare?

The health care union spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to get the mayor elected. A union vice president co-chaired his transition committee, and other former union officials now hold key positions in his administration.

The question is, is SEIU Healthcare actually dictating policy, orchestrating a war with UPMC by demanding the hospital giant allow the union to represent its health care workers?

KDKA-TV obtained emails to try to shed some light.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the new 17-story, $1.6 billion UPMC Presbyterian Hospital Tower, a project which will bring thousands of construction and permanent jobs to the city.

"All the folks who will come together to build this over the next couple of years, and the jobs that will be created here," Fitzgerald added at the groundbreaking on June 14, 2022.

Then-gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro attended the event, but conspicuously absent was Gainey, who since becoming mayor, has declined to attend all UPMC events. This includes the placement of the final beam at the new UPMC Mercy Hospital, another indication of bad blood between the city and the region's largest employer.

"Today, I am signing an executive order directing my law and finance department to conduct a review of properties owned by organizations claiming tax exemption based on their charitable status," Gainey said at a press conference on Jan. 24, 2023.

After taking office, Mayor Gainey had promised to meet with UPMC and the three other major non-profits -- Pitt, Carnegie Mellon University and Allegheny Health Network -- to negotiate PILOTS (payments to the city in lieu of taxes), but instead, he's now challenging the tax-exempt status of their individual properties.

"We are here to protect the taxpayer and make sure that everybody pays their fair share," said Mayor Gainey.

Multiple sources tell KDKA-TV talks between the city of Pittsburgh and UPMC broke down, not over money, but over Mayor Gainey's demand that UPMC allow SEIU Healthcare to represent its health care workers, leaving a $40 million commitment from UPMC on the table.

KDKA-TV asked Lisa Frank, the chief operating and administrative officer for the city of Pittsburgh, if the city demanded that UPMC allow the union at Presbyterian Hospital and throughout its system as part of these negotiations.

"The mayor, I think you know, has always been on the side of workers," Frank said in response.

SEIU Healthcare has tried unsuccessfully to unionize those workers for more than a decade and two years ago became the primary backer of Mayor Gainey's election campaign. According to campaign finance filings, it spent more than $350,000 to elect Gainey, more than all other contributors combined.

In turn, Gainey appointed SEIU vice president and political director Silas Russel to co-chair his transition committee and named others to key spots in his administration -- former SEIU Healthcare communications director Maria Montaño is his press secretary and the union's former vice president Lisa Frank is now the city's chief operating and administrative officer.

"The union's job is the union's job. The mayor's job is the mayor's job," said Frank when asked if the mayor is doing the union's bidding.

While Frank was evasive, the mayor's press secretary issued this statement denying the mayor demanded an SEIU union at his meeting with UPMC CEO Leslie Davis in June of 2022:

"The mayor has long been a supporter of the right of working people to come together for aa union and a voice at work ... In a meeting with UPMC, he asked them to sit down and listen to their workers, however, he has not made any demands."

The results of a KDKA Investigates Right to Know Request tell a different story. In the days before the meeting, there is a flurry of emails between local SEIU Healthcare head Russell and administration higher-ups preparing the mayor's talking points. They make explicit demands for a union with Russell actually dictating many of those points.

"You (Mayor Gainey) want to be able to have a partnership with UPMC, to collaborate with them on major development and social initiatives in the city ... Before that is possible however, you (Davis) need to commit to: A fair election arrangement with SEIU to bring an end to the long and contentious dispute between UPMC and its frontline workers."
After reviewing the first draft, Russell offers additional points such as: "You also believe that the workforce crisis in healthcare is so pressing we cannot afford to see continued conflict and disruption." Which are added verbatim to the final preparation notes then sent to the mayor.

Sources say UPMC rejected the demand, telling the mayor they are willing to discuss payments lieu of taxes but not their internal labor relations.

The two sides have not met since. UPMC declined comment, but in a statement, Russell defended SEIU Healthcare's influence saying, "Every health care worker should have the ability to form a union ... we think every elected official should be working to hold UPMC accountable and ensure hospital workers have a voice at work."

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/n...dministration/

I thought you said all CBS (KDKA) news is Fake? Just going off of your words.. I guess when they say something you agree with its the Truth. Same when the FBI do something you agree with its not corrupt, Correct?
I learn a lot on here.

[berryberry]

Originally Posted by Cody69

I thought you said all CBS (KDKA) news is Fake? Just going off of your words.. I guess when they say something you agree with its the Truth. Same when the FBI do something you agree with its not corrupt, Correct?
I learn a lot on here.

Why are you trying to change the subject and hijack this thread?
And on top of that, why are you making false statements about what I said?

Here is the thread.

https://eccie.net/showthread.php?

Please show me the exact quote where I said all CBS news is fake. You know you can't because you lied.

In addition, that thread and comments were in reference to CBS national news. KDKA is a local affiliate - big difference

Now, back to the topic of this thread, Ed Gainey - another corrupt Democrat bought and paid for.

Do you support Ed Gainey being bought and paid for by the SEIU and doing their bidding?

Do you support Gainey having SEIU employees on his staff making policy?

Do you support the SEIU union writing Gainey's talking points and Gainey demanding that unless UPMC allows the SEIU to represent all their workers, there would be no deal for any payment in lieu of taxes - in essence Gainey tossed $40 million away from UPMC?

Should city taxpayers be happy about that?

[Cody69]

Originally Posted by berryberry

Why are you trying to change the subject and hijack this thread?
And on top of that, why are you making false statements about what I said?

Here is the thread.

https://eccie.net/showthread.php?

Please show me the exact quote where I said all CBS news is fake. You know you can't because you lied.

In addition, that thread and comments were in reference to CBS national news. KDKA is a local affiliate - big difference

Now, back to the topic of this thread, Ed Gainey - another corrupt Democrat bought and paid for.

Do you support Ed Gainey being bought and paid for by the SEIU and doing their bidding?

Do you support Gainey having SEIU employees on his staff making policy?

Do you support the SEIU union writing Gainey's talking points and Gainey demanding that unless UPMC allows the SEIU to represent all their workers, there would be no deal for any payment in lieu of taxes - in essence Gainey tossed $40 million away from UPMC?

Should city taxpayers be happy about that?

Berry wrote "KDKA Investigates looks into SEIU Healthcare's influence over Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey's administration."

In case you already forgot what you posted, that is your first sentence.


Why do you continuously try getting people disciplined and kicked off this site who don't agree with you? It is impossible for you to discuss something in a grown up fashion isn't it. You have to name calling and trying to mess with someone. You can't just discuss something can you?


BerryBerry- CBS News Lies about Nashville Shooting
On the main thread about the deranged tranny killing 6 people in a Christian School, this was posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cody69
CBS had full coverage of the shootings in case you guys wanted to see the truth. CBS, always tells the truth.

Of course, that is false. CBS did not tell the truth. In fact CBS rarely tells the truth. So as not to take the original thread off topic, I started this thread to discuss it

Here is the CBS story:

A shooter opened fire at a private Christian grade school in Nashville on Monday, killing three children and three adults, officials said. The suspected shooter was fatally shot by police at Covenant School in the city's Green Hills neighborhood, authorities said.
.
.
.
Nashville Police Chief John Drake said their preliminary investigation into the shooting indicated that it was a targeted attack. The probe suggested that the shooter was at one time a student at the school, although Drake did not know exactly when they may have attended.

Police discovered "a manifesto" as well as "maps drawn of the school in detail," according to the chief.

"We've also determined there were maps drawn of the school in detail of surveillance, entry points, etc. We know and believe that entry was gained by shooting through one of the doors, is how they actually got into the school," Drake said. Police later released surveillance video showing the suspect shooting through the glass panes on the doors and entering the building.

Drake described the guns used to carry out the shooting as two "AR-style weapons" — a rifle and a pistol — in addition to another handgun. Authorities believe that two of the weapons may have been obtained legally and locally, according to the police chief.

more

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nashvil...venant-school/

NOW - notice how CBS LIED by omitting certain key facts like:

1. the shooter was a deranged tranny
2. this is another in a line of several mass shootings by mentally ill trannies
3. that the trans/gender ideology movement has become such an extreme dangerous cult of violence that it is now radicalizing activists into terrorists.
4. that this shooting occurred the same week trans activists were calling for a Trans Day of Vengence

And also notice how CBS is trying to subtly shift the focus onto "AR-style weapons" while ignoring the shooter's background and mental health

So no, CBS didn't tell the truth - they rarely do
__________________
Whoever would overthrow the Liberty of a Nation, must begin by subduing the Freeness of Speech; a Thing terrible to Publick Traytors. - Benjamin Franklin

Remember this when all the crazy ass leftists support censorship and trampling on people's first amendment rights - they are the true insurrectionists and traitors to America

[berryberry]

None of what you wrote addresses the subject of this thread or the questions I raised. This is an important topic about the corrupt Mayor of Pittsburgh. So I will ask once again

Do you support Ed Gainey being bought and paid for by the SEIU and doing their bidding?

Do you support Gainey having SEIU employees on his staff making policy?

Do you support the SEIU union writing Gainey's talking points and Gainey demanding that unless UPMC allows the SEIU to represent all their workers, there would be no deal for any payment in lieu of taxes - in essence Gainey tossed $40 million away from UPMC?

Should city taxpayers be happy about that?

[HDGristle]

Originally Posted by berryberry

None of what you wrote addresses the subject of this thread or the questions I raised. This is an important topic about the corrupt Mayor of Pittsburgh. So I will ask once again

Do you support Ed Gainey being bought and paid for by the SEIU and doing their bidding?

Do you support Gainey having SEIU employees on his staff making policy?

Do you support the SEIU union writing Gainey's talking points and Gainey demanding that unless UPMC allows the SEIU to represent all their workers, there would be no deal for any payment in lieu of taxes - in essence Gainey tossed $40 million away from UPMC?

Should city taxpayers be happy about that?

I don't live in the city, so this is an outsider perspective as a former city resident.

1. You're making an assumption about him being bought and paid for. Dig in further and see if that's legit. Stop jumping on the red meat and see if it's a veneer or solid cow. If solid cow, see if it's hiding some pills. UPMC is just as much a saavy political machine as they are anything else. And special interests provide talking points to politicians all the time. Don't just connect the easy dots. Ask the tougher questions.

2. UPMC does need someone to take them to task and has far too much power in this city and this area. On its face this doesn't seem to be that. And the $40 million and free CPR training are significant, but also politically calculated.

3. I don't support forcing SEIU into anything. In fact, I dislike the SEIU even more than I dislike UPMC.

4. Sheehan's reporting is ususlly solid, but given the UPMC involvement I'm inclined to want to see more.

5. Michael Lamb has an incentive to run with this ball.

6. Whether city taxpayers should or shouldn't be happy about this is up to them. Their judgement calls to make.

[tommy156]

Funny how it's all "innocent until proven guilty" for certain people who shall not be named... but if it's a Democrat, LOCK THEM UP IMMEDIATELY.

Lol. Hello, double standard.

[berryberry]

Originally Posted by HDGristle

I don't live in the city, so this is an outsider perspective as a former city resident.

1. You're making an assumption about him being bought and paid for. Dig in further and see if that's legit. Stop jumping on the red meat and see if it's a veneer or solid cow. If solid cow, see if it's hiding some pills. UPMC is just as much a saavy political machine as they are anything else. And special interests provide talking points to politicians all the time. Don't just connect the easy dots. Ask the tougher questions.

2. UPMC does need someone to take them to task and has far too much power in this city and this area. On its face this doesn't seem to be that. And the $40 million and free CPR training are significant, but also politically calculated.

3. I don't support forcing SEIU into anything. In fact, I dislike the SEIU even more than I dislike UPMC.

4. Sheehan's reporting is ususlly solid, but given the UPMC involvement I'm inclined to want to see more.

5. Michael Lamb has an incentive to run with this ball.

6. Whether city taxpayers should or shouldn't be happy about this is up to them. Their judgement calls to make.

1. It's no assumption. Sheehan's story included a multitude of facts including

The SEIU spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to get the mayor elected - specifically they spent more than $350,000 to elect Gainey, more than all other contributors combined.

A SEIU vice president co-chaired his transition committee.

Several former SEIU officials were appointed to key positions in his administration. Former SEIU Healthcare communications director Maria Montaño is his press secretary and the union's former vice president Lisa Frank is now the city's chief operating and administrative officer.

BOUGHT AND PAID FOR.

2. $40 million is nothing to sneeze at, especially when the city is strapped for cash. And Gainey has thrown it all away because he pushed the SEIU's demands over that of city residents and taxpayer interests. Is it the right number - that is a different question but Gainey wasn't negotiating the amount - he was acting on behalf of the SEIU who bought and paid for him

[HDGristle]

So you admit you're making some assumptions based on the report without digging in any deeper or looking for more. And you're confirming you've made up your mind.

Thank you for sharing.

[berryberry]

No, I have made no assumptions.

I am commenting based on all the known facts that have been reported by a reputable reporter. Are you disputing Sheehan's facts and reporting? If so, what exactly did he say that is factually incorrect?

Not some perhaps or maybe.

We are commenting on the facts in front of us which are clear. If later additional facts come out, then I will reassess like any normal person does