Verizon workers picket what they say is non-union work at the Oxford Avenue Rite Aid in Fox Chase.

The Verizon strike came to Fox Chase at noon today when a picket line was established at the Rite Aid at 7941 Oxford Ave. The week-long strike affects approximately 45,000 CWA and IBEW workers whose contracts have not been renewed.

The picketers were from the Verizon Oakley Street garage who claimed the two workers in a Verizon van at the Rite Aid were performing work normally performed by union employees. The two workers in the Verizon van had no comment. The pickets departed the area shortly after 12:30 pm.

Greater Philadelphia Northeast Chamber of Commerce President Al Taubenberger tours a SEPTA hybrid bus. Photo courtesy of GNPCC.

The following is an advertisement for the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

The Greater Northeast PhiladelphiaChamber of Commerce Annual “Business is Blooming” Expo will be held Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Holy Family University, Frankford and Grant avenues in the Campus Center gymnasium. The Expo is open to the public, and admission is free. This revives a GNPCC tradition that opens the Expo to the community, rather than just businesses.

The event is expected to bring together nearly 100 businesses and nonprofits who will display their goods and services from a wide variety of industries. Exhibitor tables are available at $350 for members, $599 for non-members. Mayor Michael A. Nutter will officially kick-off the Expo at 2 p.m.

“This is the best opportunity you will have to maximize your market share,” said GNPCC President Al Taubenberger. “We are working very hard to create the optimum event for all businesses to showcase their products and services. And with the public invited for the first time in many years, we think it’s going to be a very busy day for our exhibitors.” continue reading »

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

Steven Smink, 47, owner of Pike Lanes Family Fun Center in Deerfield Township, N.J., was arrested at his home on the 9100-block of Veree Road for burning down competing bowling alley Loyle Lanes Bowling Center. Smink, along with Felix Antonio Manzano Jr., 21, and a 17-year-old, both of the 8000-block of Frankford Avenue, was charged with arson for hire, aggravated arson and conspiracy to commit arson. If convicted, they face up 20 years in state prison, according to officials.

Continue reading for a discovered fugitive, possible FiOS in Frankford and more. continue reading »

By Shannon McDonald

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

Eight of the Philadelphia Police Department’s 10 transmitters shut down Wednesday, leaving parts of the Northeast without police communications. A faulty Verizon component was to blame, forcing officers to rely on cell phones for two hours. continue reading »