Fire fighters face serious risks on the job. They face heat, flames, physical and mental stress, and high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and other toxic risks in the areas around fires. Metro Washington Council president Jos Williams joined DC Council members and local reporters in a "Fire Ops 101 "event hosted by the Washington D.C Fire Department and Fire Fighters Local 36 last October. The politicians and reporters donned full firefighter gear and participated in a number of training exercises that gave them a taste of what fire fighters face every day. Click here to see a video. "This was an incredible experience,” said NBC4 reporter Mark Seagraves. “I recommend (it to) every reporter and council member, so they can fully appreciate what we're reporting on and what they're legislating.” Metro Council president Jos Williams emerged from a smoky crawlspace and said “Your adrenaline is pumping...it's almost like survival (and) instinct (takes over), even though this was (just) practice." Renowned photographer Earl Dotter’s groundbreaking exhibit at the AFL-CIO features ID badges worn by asbestos workers alongside historic photographs of work sites, product advertisements, vintage photos, and product catalogs from industrial companies, connecting the human faces to the industry. On display in the AFL-CIO lobby, 815 16th Street NW, Wash DC, through May 15. With heart disease now the leading cause of death for women in the United States and coronary artery disease killing more Americans than all cancers combined, the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) has launched Spread the Word to warn women about these urgent health threats.Click here for additional information, or contact Carolyn Jacobson at CLUW, 202-508-6901 [email protected].
Today is election day in Wards 4 and 8. Polls are open from 7a to 8p. The Metro Council has endorsed LaRuby May in Ward 8 and urges residents of Ward 8 to support labor’s endorsed candidate. If you would like to help out at the polls, please call Rick Powell or David Dzidzienyo: 202-974-8150. |