ALLENTOWN, PA — This past Saturday, September 7th, U.S. Representative Susan Wild gathered with local union members and supporters at the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers (IBEW) hall in Allentown, PA.
Wild, a long-time advocate for labor rights, addressed the crowd, speaking from the heart about the importance of organized labor and the challenges facing the working class.
“I love nothing more than a whole big group of labor folks,” Wild said, expressing her connection to the working-class community.
She recalled her upbringing in a middle-class family, where her father’s frugal habits, influenced by his experience during the Great Depression, left a lasting impression on her. “I think of that all the time when I’m with working folks.” Wild said.
She contrasted her background with her Republican opponent, Ryan McKenzie, criticizing his lack of “real-life experience.”
She also highlighted her family’s involvement in organized labor, sharing memories of walking picket lines with her mother, who worked for the AFL-CIO.
Wild’s support for the labor movement is deeply personal, noting, “The things that labor unions advocate for, the organized labor stands for, are so near and dear to my heart.”
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk also attended the rally. Wild praised his dedication to the community and labor causes.
She highlighted the $20 million Recompete Grant awarded to Allentown to boost manufacturing and job creation in the region, saying, “We got $20 million to build the manufacturing and other job course-type things here, right here in Allentown — with labor.
Throughout her speech, Wild emphasized the ongoing struggles for workers’ rights, including the right to organize and the fight for better wages and benefits.
She challenged those opposing labor unions, asking, “What are they so afraid of? That they might have to pay a better wage?”
Wild pledged her continued support for the PRO Act and reiterated her commitment to workers, vowing to keep advocating for better conditions and protections for laborers.
“I will always have your back,” she assured the audience, referencing her record since taking office in 2018.
The congresswoman also discussed broader legislative achievements, including the recent infrastructure bill and efforts to lower prescription drug prices.
She warned of potential rollbacks if Republicans gained control of Congress, stating, “We could forget the infrastructure bill,” while expressing pride in the projects that have already brought jobs to the region.
Later in the day, Wild appeared at Dieruff High School in Allentown, where second gentleman Doug Emhoff rallied around 350 attendants to energize the Latino vote.
In her closing remarks at the IBEW event, Wild urged attendees to channel their enthusiasm into voter registration and turnout, with just under two months left until the election.
She stressed the stakes, particularly for labor, stating, “Our values need to be with organizers, labor because all of you represent all those things that I just mentioned and way, way more.”
As the rally concluded, Wild called her supporters to action: “Make sure that all of the enthusiasm translates into getting people registered to vote and that they vote.”
