Capitol 'Offense'

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Union members marched to the capitol through freezing rain to demand permanent mass-transit funding and prevent expected fare hikes and service cuts. On Valentine's Day, hundreds of activists from Philadelphia's Council 47 and the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees (NUHHCE)/AFSCME District 1199C rode buses and trains to put pressure on lawmakers. The demonstration also drew hundreds of others, including transit riders, college students and environmentalists. Stacy Campbell, an 1199 member, relies heavily on public transportation to get to work. Without it, she says, "I would have to resort to walking or riding my bike."