Transdev workers at the Cinder Bed Road facility have voted unanimously to strike if ongoing negotiations stall. The workers belong to ATU Local 689 and drive the same routes, on the same roads, with the same buses as WMATA, but earn $12 less per hour than other operators in the region because they work for a private contractor. The workers are also demanding improvements to safety and working conditions. “The workers at Cinder Bed have stood together for almost a year to fight Transdev and WMATA to make sure that they’re treated with respect,” said ATU Local 689 President and Business Agent Raymond Jackson. “This strike authorization vote should serve as a warning to every transit authority and private contractor in the area that workers are fed up with schemes to profit off the low wages of transit workers. Transdev and WMATA cut corners at every turn with the Cinder Bed Facility, but these workers won’t let them!” photo: Transdev workers practice picketing; photo courtesy ATU 689 click here for latest listings Union City Radio: 7:15a M-F; WPFW-FM 89.3 Baltimore Symphony Musicians picket line: Tue, August 27, 8:30am – 10:00am Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, 1212 Cathedral St, Baltimore, MD 21201 AFSCME Fundraiser for Elizabeth Guzman (D, VA 31): Tue, August 27, 5:30pm – 7:00pm AFSCME, 1625 L St., NW (First Floor Atrium), Washington DC On August 19th, nine women along with their families and supporters gathered at the Plumbers Local 5 training center to celebrate the start of a new chapter in their lives. They had successfully completed an innovative program run by the Community Services Agency (CSA) in partnership with Plumbers Local 5 to bring more women into good-paying, union, skilled-trades jobs. "Thanks to Building Futures I have learned to bring the qualities I already have to school and take a chance for a life-changing experience in a new career," said newly-minted graduate Ruby Blackstone, who works as a lifeguard at Howard University, speaking on behalf of the other graduates. The nine women have obtained direct entry into the Plumbers Local 5’s five-year registered apprenticeship program and will start work immediately in good union jobs. "Programs like this offer real hope as a way to begin rebuilding the labor movement and bringing in women who usually don't have access to the trades," said Keith Willis, Job Development Consultant for the CSA's Building Futures program and SEIU retiree. CSA's Building Futures Pre-Apprenticeship program offers hands-on experience in a union trade, an intro to the labor movement and additional wrap-around services to help women enter the union apprenticeship program and succeed. Other support services offered include mentoring and technical assistance to help build a community of local tradeswomen who can share experiences and support each other throughout their nontraditional careers. For more information about the program email Sylvia Casaro Dietert, CSA Client Services Coordinator at [email protected] photo: Plumbers' pre-apprentice graduates, participating Plumbers Local 5 instructors, and Emma Brennan, Women in the Trades Project Manager AFSCME Council 67 joined county elected officials, county employees, state officials and employees, congressmen, commercial and nonprofit representatives at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) conference August 14-17 in Ocean City, MD. The focus was on changes being seen at every level of government and constituent services “and how counties are harnessing that momentum for the good of all Marylanders.” Topics included transforming approaches to economic trends, climate change, land use, millennials in the workforce, and education, among others. photo: Council 67 Executive Director Glenard Middleton Sr. and friends. |