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Yesterday, President Joe Biden joined striking UAW workers on the picket line in Michigan. In doing so, he made history: Biden is the first sitting U.S. president to ever join a picket line.  Biden's action yesterday is a reflection of the surging power of the labor movement in industries across the country, including here in DC and Maryland. Our 150+ local Affiliates have a number of ways to step up and get involved. Read more below to be part of it. Events ✨ Today ✨
Take ActionSign the petition supporting DC teachers
Rally with UFCW Local 400 this Saturday
Tell Congress to #StopTheShutdown
Hiring Hall: Union Jobs in the DC RegionAFL-CIO: Meetings and Travel Specialist AFGE: Executive Assistant to the National President AFGE: Staff Counsel, Assistant General Counsel AFSCME: Workforce Development Advocate II AFSCME: Workforce Development Advocate III ACE-AFSCME Local 2250: Executive Director AFSCME Council 28: Labor Advocate International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Clerk Typist International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Accounts Payable Accountant League of Conservation Voters: Events Coordinator Metropolitan Baltimore Council, AFL-CIO: Executive Director of Community Services of Central Maryland Maryland State Education Association: Organizer Maryland State Education Association: UniServ Director – Eastern Shore National Education Association: Organizational Specialist Prince George’s County Educators’ Association: Program Specialist and Organizer SEIU: Union Organizer-In-Training (OIT) SEIU: Assistant Director Finance Audits Solidarity Center: Accounts Payable Specialist The Sunrise Project: Senior Strategist The Sunrise Project: Training & Capacity Building Manager Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO: PAC Administrator / Legislative Aide UNITE HERE Local 7: Union Organizer Share Your NewsDoes your local have actions, events, open positions, or other updates you want labor leaders in DC and Maryland to know about? Submit news items to [email protected].
3,800 members of OPEIU Local 2 at Kaiser Permanente ready to strike as part of nationwide negotiationsAn overwhelming 98% of OPEIU Local 2 members at Kaiser Permanente voted YES to authorize an Unfair Labor Practices strike last week. The 3,800 members of Local 2 join a total of 75,000 Kaiser workers across the country who are ready to strike if no deal is reached by September 30. "While we do not want to strike, if Kaiser continues to refuse to invest in patient care and frontline caregivers by hiring more staff, adjusting staff-to-patient ratios, and by settling a contract that includes livable wages that keep up with inflatioon, WE ARE READY!" OPEIU Local 2 said in a statement. Prince George's County Council to revisit decision on reasonable accommodation Last week Metro Washington Council together with several of our Affiliate unions, labor allies, and members of the Prince George's County Council held a press conference demanding remote voting and reasonable accommodation for Councilmembers who need to take family or medical leave. At the Council hearing that followed last week Council members expressed support for reconsidering the issue. We look forward to the Council changing their decision on this important matter of workplace health and safety. Take action this week to #StopTheShutdown There are now just six days left until the federal government runs out of money. If it does, millions of unionized federal workers will stop receiving paychecks — but will have to report to work anyway. Take action with AFGE this week to help #StopTheShutdown. Contract negotiations get under way between UFCW Local 400 and Safeway and Giant The contract negotiations team at UFCW Local 400 is getting to work on a new contract with Safeway and Giant. Over the span of the last contract, UFCW members worked through COVID and made grocery companies more revenue than ever. Now it is time for that hard work to be rewarded. Local 400 members, join the Contract Action Team on Wednesday, Sept. 27 to be ready to take action when the time comes. Congratulations to our first all-women class of Building Futures Pre-Apprenticeship graduates! Last week we celebrated the first all-women class of Building Futures Pre-Apprenticeship Program graduates! Our pre-apprenticeship programs prepare individuals to begin an apprenticeship in the trades. Congratulations to all the graduates! We can't wait to follow your journeys. Upcoming Events
Maryland/DC Alliance for Retired Americans Biennial Convention November 4, 2023 — 9:00am-2:00pm AFSCME Maryland Council 3 office Presentations and discussions on political activism in 2024, legislation, and more. Email [email protected] for information. Labor Day with the Commanders vs. NY Giants Sunday, November 19, 2023 — 1:00 PM Each union that brings out 50 or more people will be able to come onto the field after the game to take a photo. Email Ari Kwitkin-Close or call (301) 276-6406. Around the Region
Top left: Airport workers with 32BJ SEIU showed up at the most recent meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to speak out for health insurance and paid leave. Top right: Washington Teachers' Union held an indoor block party to give away books and supplies as they countdown to a contract that expires on September 30. Bottom left: IBEW Local 26, Ironworkers Local 5, Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5, SMART 100, and Steamfitters Local 602 held a careers fair last week at Sycamore & Oak in DC's Ward 8. Bottom left: Finishing Trades Institute and IUPAT DC51 participated in the first ever Prince George's County Union Trades Day at Bowie Baysox Stadium. Share your newsGot an action, event, open position, or other update you want labor leaders in DC and Maryland to know about? Submit news items to [email protected].
 Providing reasonable accommodations to workers is part of how we make workplaces safe and healthy for everyone — and that includes for our elected leaders. Yesterday, Metro Washington Council together with AFGE District 14, ATU 689, CASA, Harriet's Wildest Dreams, IBEW 26, Philadelphia/Baltimore/Washington Laborers' District Council, Prince George's County Educators Association, Progressive Maryland, Steamfitters UA Local 602, and UFCW Local 400 as well as State's Attorney Aisha N. Braveboy and multiple members of the Prince George's County Council held a press conference demanding the County Council reconsider its recent decision against allowing remote voting for its members.
Together more than a dozen unions and allied organizations delivered a joint letter underscoring that providing a reasonable accommodation like remote voting "is an important part of a safe and healthy workplace and would improve every Council member’s ability to serve the people of Prince George’s County." Amidst mounting public pressure, County Council members announced at Tuesday's meeting that they plan to reconsider the matter. Thank you to all the union members and elected leaders who joined us for yesterday's event. We hope to see the County Council change its position in the coming days.  The Tri-County Committee on Political Education (COPE) is back!! Hope your summer was filled with fun and family. Now it's time to focus on labor's voice in the community. September's COPE meeting for union members in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties will be held in person on Tuesday, September 26 at 7:00 PM at the American Legion (6330 Crain Highway, La Plata, MD). We look forward to seeing you and we encourage you to bring a friend. Hiring Hall: Union jobs in the DC regionAFL-CIO Technology Institute: Foundation Relations Manager AFGE: Staff Counsel, Assistant General Counsel AFSCME: Manager, Administration Department AFSCME: Administrative Assistant I ACE-AFSCME Local 2250: Executive Director AFSCME Maryland Council 3: Business Manager AFSCME Maryland Council 3: Field Representative / Internal Organizer Amalgamated Transit Union: Human Resources and Benefits Program Manager CWA, Tower Climbers Union: Campaign Communications Coordinator League of Conservation Voters: Events Coordinator Plumbers & Gasfitters UA Local 5: Apprenticeship - Administrative Assistant SEIU: Assistant Director Finance Audits SEIU: Operations Manager, Governance Strategic Organizing Center: Staff Attorney Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO: PAC Administrator/Legislative Aide UNITE HERE: Campaign Researcher Virginia Education Association: Racial and Social Justice Grant Coordinator Share your newsDoes your local have actions, events, open positions, or other updates you want labor leaders in DC and Maryland to know about? Submit news items to [email protected].
Solidarity with UAW workers on strike
Saturday: Rally with workers at MOM’s Organic Market
Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month
Construction Appreciation Week
 Our next meeting for Delegates to the Metro Washington Council is coming up tomorrow, Tuesday, September 19, at 5:00 PM. Delegates, register now for tomorrow's meeting: Upcoming Events
Maryland/DC Alliance for Retired Americans Biennial Convention November 4, 2023 — 9:00am-2:00pm AFSCME Maryland Council 3 office Presentations and discussions on political activism in 2024, legislation, and more. Email [email protected] for information. Labor Day with the Commanders vs. NY Giants Sunday, November 19, 2023 — 1:00 PM Each union that brings out 50 or more people will be able to come onto the field after the game to take a photo. Email Ari Kwitkin-Close or call (301) 276-6406. Around the Region
Top row, left: We had a great time last week at Metro Baltimore Council, AFL-CIO's 38th Annual Ernie Grecco Golf Classic charitable fundraiser! Top row, right: 32BJ SEIU workers from the DC region and across the country rallied at the White House last week calling on President Biden to redesignate and extend TPS protections. Middle: Workers United, Mid-Atlantic Regional Joint Board and Pride at Work joined allies across the country for the national day of action for Starbucks workers on Friday. Bottom: Washington Teachers' Union gave out free books to DCPS students at the H Street festival on Saturday as teachers are counting down the time remaining until their contract expires on September 30. Share your newsGot an action, event, open position, or other update you want labor leaders in DC and Maryland to know about? Submit news items to [email protected].
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