The National Association of Letter Carriers achieves equalization of wages for all letter carriers, meaning city delivery carriers began receiving the same wages regardless of the size of the community in which they worked – 1949 The J.P. Stevens textile company is forced to sign its first union contract after a 17-year struggle in North Carolina and other southern states - 1980 Compiled/edited by Union Communication Services photo by Bettye Lane A bill requiring all D.C. public and charter schools to have a full-time nurse recently moved forward at the DC City Council Tuesday, when the DC Council Committee on Health voted 5-0 to pass the bill out of committee. “The Mayor and the DOH Director have not supported this bill and are unlikely, absent political pressure, to put the money in the budget,” said Edward J. Smith, Executive Director of DCNA, which has been working closely with parents and the Washington Teachers Union to pass the bill. “We need to remind the Mayor that this is a priority and to put the lives of our children first,” said Wala Blegay, DCNA’s Staff Attorney. Current DC Law requires school nurses just 20 hours a week. The Metro Washington Council’s Community Services Agency on Monday announced that Sonte' DuCote has joined the CSA staff as the Assistant Executive Director. "Sonte' brings great experience, love of unions, and a real commitment to improving the lives of workers and their families," said CSA Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy. "She will be a great addition to the CSA staff, bringing new enthusiasm, new ideas, and lots of energy." DuCote began her labor career as the local director of Frontlash, the AFL-CIO's prior youth organization. She has also worked at the national office of AFSCME in DC and the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds in New York. Most recently, she staffed the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee at the DC City Council. DuCote “brings experience in fundraising, grants management, member services, worker training and a strong commitment to the labor movement,” McKirchy added. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help advance the mission of the Community Services Agency and provide valuable services to the hard-working union members of the Metro Washington area," said DuCote. Former Assistant Director Matt Losak left to pursue other opportunities. photo: (l-r) new CSA Asst. Executive Director Sonte' DuCote with CSA Board of Trustees President Jackie Jeter and Board Member Ann Hoffman; photo by Kathleen McKirchy |