International Workingmen’s Association founded in London...…Read more. - compiled/edited by David Prosten at Union Communication Services. “The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it.”
Marx was a somewhat obscure 46-year-old émigré journalist when he attended the 1864 founding of the International Workingmen’s Association, but he soon come to play a decisive role in the organization. Nearly 300 contracted janitors who clean and maintain the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center have ratified a new contract that maintains their employer’s contributions into the workers’ pension fund. A week ago, workers voted to authorize a strike to protest Ace Janitorial Services’ previous proposal to undermine retirement security for cleaners, many of whom have worked at Walter Reed for decades. “Protecting the health and safety of our nation’s veterans is a job we take very seriously,” said Helen Ávalos, a janitor at Walter Reed. “We are happy to put this ordeal behind us knowing that we can someday retire with dignity.” 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union reached the agreement with janitorial services subcontractor Ace before the contract’s September 30 expiration. “This contract maintains high standards for patients at Walter Reed and ensures that janitors will be able to make ends meet when they retire,” said 32BJ SEIU Vice President, Jaime Contreras. Volunteers from 17 different international unions at NoVA Labor turned out for last Saturday's canvass, kicked off by CWA president Chris Shelton (right). "Union households are responding strongly and positively to our message of voting NO ON 1! against adding Right-to-Work to the state constitution as well as voting for Clinton and Kaine," said NoVA Labor President Dan Duncan. Phone banking takes place all week at the Annandale office with walks scheduled every Saturday through Election Day. In other Northern Virginia labor news, Fairfax County Democratic Committee Labor Committee chair Virginia Diamond and husband Richard Bensinger (former Organizing Director at the AFL-CIO) hosted over 100 activists, progressives and union members at their McLean home last Saturday night. Guest speaker Chris Shelton discussed the recent Verizon strike victory, how the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership would give corporations even more power over government, and the importance of hitting the streets, phones, worksites and union halls to ensure Donald Trump's defeat and victories by progressive candidates. |