 United Kitchen Workers announced last week that they are prepared to call for a boycott of Union Kitchen stores beginning at 11am on Friday, June 16 in response to management’s ongoing efforts to undermine the workers’ union. “On behalf of the 165 unions that we represent, the Metro Washington Council stands behind these workers as they fight to have a voice on the job like every worker in DC," said Dyana Forester, Metro Washington Council president, at last week's rally. Hear the full remarks.
Food service workers at University of Mary Washington unionize
Upcoming Events
Transit-Community Partnerships: Advancing Workforce Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion Wednesday, June 7 — 2:00pm In this webinar, panelists with experience in community-based partnerships that embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and access will discuss a variety of ways community organizations, transit agencies, and unions can engage in creating a strong workforce that fully reflects their communities. Featuring Rich Diaz, Bus Operator Mentor Lead, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1575. Register » DC Rally & Virtual Hearing for One Fair Wage Thursday, June 8 — 9:00am Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) Push back against the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington's attempt to allow only restaurants to be excluded from DC consumer protection laws by joining One Fair Wage for a rally and virtual hearing this Thursday. Learn more and register » 17th Annual Northeast Shoot for a Cure Charity Sporting Clays Shoot Wednesday, June 14 — 10:00am Point at Pintail, 511 Pintail Point Farm Lane, Queenstown, MD Contact Mark Gagliardi at (925) 698-0719 or [email protected]. Jazz On the Rails-Juneteenth Celebration Saturday, June 17 — 4:00-11:00pm On June 17, 2023, join the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen for Jazz on The Rails, a Juneteenth Celebration at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. Learn more and get tickets » Union night at Camden Yards Friday, July 14 — 7:05pm Join the Metro Baltimore Council AFL-CIO for Union Night at the Baltimore Orioles game! $5 of every ticket sale directly benefits Community Services. Contact Blaine Boone at (410) 247-4898 or [email protected]. Labor Day with the Washington Nationals vs. Texas Rangers Wednesday, July 7 — 7:05pm Join us at Nationals Park as we honor and recognize the 15th Annual Labor Union Day. To purchase 10 or more tickets contact Josh Grohs at (202) 640-7714 or [email protected]. Get tickets » Labor Day at Washington Commanders vs. Arizona Cardinals Sunday, September 10 — 1:00pm Each union that brings out 50 or more people will be able to come onto the field after the game to take a photo. Each ticket includes a $5 donation. Contact Ari Kwitkin-Close at (301) 276-6406 or [email protected]. The 26th Annual Community Services Agency Golf Tournament Monday, October 16, 2023 — 7:00am Enterprise Golf Course, 2802 Enterprise Road, Mitchellville, MD For more information contact Letycia Pastrana at [email protected]. Labor Day with the Commanders vs. NY Giants Sunday, November 19, 2023 — 1:00pm Each union that brings out 50 or more people will be able to come onto the field after the game to take a photo. Each ticket includes a $5 donation. Contact Ari Kwitkin-Close at (301) 276-6406 or [email protected]. Recent NewsAs more DC workers unionize, organizers see more pushback from employers DC News Now — June 1, 2023 “I think what we’re seeing happening now is that unions are actually stepping up to organize smaller workplaces that weren’t usually targets,” said Dyana Forester, president of the Metro Washington Labor Council. Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union for first time Nature — June 1, 2023 Thousands of early-career researchers at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) have kick-started the process of forming a union. Laurel City Council passes amendment to unionize Department of Public Works DC News Now — May 30, 2023 “We as a city more than anything, we have to stick together. I dig in the trash for a living guys, you guys have to understand we just want a voice,” said a DPW employee. These Workers Are Making Baltimore A Union Town Again The Real News Network — May 31, 2023 Panelists include Dever Cunningham, MOM’s Workers United (Teamsters); Martin Yepes, Teachers & Researchers United (United Electrical Workers) at Johns Hopkins University; Leila Grothe, Baltimore Museum of Art Union (AFSCME); Andre Elkridge, UNITE HERE Local 7; Rachel Leeds, Walters Workers United Museum of Art. Unfair labor complaints filed against George Washington University Hospital as nurses try to unionize DC News Now — May 24, 2023 “For years, when nurses tried to raise complaints or tried to get management to help them do their jobs properly, either equipment issues or staffing issues, it fell on deaf ears,” Smith said. Ketanji Brown Jackson issues solo dissent in ruling against Teamsters strike The Hill — June 1, 2023 Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued her first solo dissent in a Supreme Court merits case Thursday, disagreeing with her colleagues in a labor dispute ruling that makes it easier for companies to sue over worker strikes. U.S. employers have gone from opposing international labor standards to hiding behind them. Now a complaint is trying to stop U.S.-style union busting from taking over the world Fortune – May 29, 2023 Earlier this month, a group of U.S. unions filed a complaint with the International Labour Organization’s Committee on Freedom of Association. In the filing, they convincingly argue that U.S. labor law does not protect workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Young, educated and unionized: Hill staffers at vanguard of white-collar labor movement Roll Call — May 31, 2023 After decades of slow, steady decline, unions are suddenly and rapidly rebounding. A total of 1,673 workplaces petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to hold union elections in 2019; last year that figure rose to 2,072. Historic gains: Low-income workers scored in the Covid economy POLITICO — May 29, 2023 Organized labor gained power at the bargaining table, with unions like UNITE HERE, which represents food, hotel and casino workers, pointing to an extensive list of wage wins in workplaces across the country. Around the region
Left: AFL-CIO's Department for Professional Employees leafletted outside Apple's DC store on Monday in solidarity with striking workers from the Writers Guild of America. Right: Fellows at the National Institute of Health filed to form a union last week with UAW. 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].
 One of Union Kitchen's five locations. Photo by Tyrone Turner for DCist/WAMU. Workers at five Union Kitchen locations in DC and Virginia democratically voted to unionize but were not officially recognized until June of last year, after a lengthy legal battle in which management attempted to overturn the election results. The effort was sparked after employees learned that Union Kitchen wasn’t paying them their tips. When they complained, Union Kitchen eliminated tipping altogether in retaliation. This Thursday, UFCW Local 400 Union and a coalition of 20 supporting organizations — including Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO — will hold a press conference to announce a consumer boycott of Union Kitchen stores. Attend tomorrow's press conference:
Thursday: Join us at 'Our Streets, Our Future' The 'Our Streets, Our Future' initiative is a countywide effort to reduce gun violence in Prince George’s County. A key component of that work is to provide individuals with the resources and services that they need, including mentorship opportunities. Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO will be at this event on Thursday, June 1 from 5:30-7:30pm. Learn more and join us there » NIH Fellows to file for union as they join national wave of union organizing
Pickets every day at InterContinental on The Wharf Workers from Moon Rabbit and UNITE HERE Local 25 are picketing InterContinental on The Wharf every day and are calling for allies to join the effort. Let them know here which pickets you'll attend. Hiring Hall: Union jobs in DC + MarylandAFL-CIO: Senior Corporate Analyst, Economic Power & Growth Hub AFL-CIO: National Campaign Coordinator, Political + Field Mobilization Hub AFL-CIO: Senior Field Representative, Political + Field Mobilization Hub AFL-CIO: Deputy Director, Clean Energy Jobs AFL-CIO: Senior Digital Strategist, Public Affairs AFL-CIO: Political Writer / Researcher, Political + Field Mobilization Hub AFREF: Senior Pension Strategy Analyst AFSCME: Assistant Auditor American Federation of Teachers Maryland: Organizer Amalgamated Transit Union: Associate General Counsel Good Jobs First: Economic Development Incentives Research Analyst IBEW: Videographer/Video Producer, Media Department IUBAC: Intermediate Coordinator of Documents NAGE: National Representative NTEU: Deputy Director of Negotiations SAG-AFTRA: Manager, Broadcast Membership Services (Bethesda, MD) SEIU International: Ethics Ombudsperson/Assistant General Counsel The Sunrise Project: Senior Communications Campaigner Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO: Policy Analyst UFCW: Network Support Administrator Working America: State Program Director, At-Large (Fixed-Term) Working America: Senior State Program Director Working America: Chief Information Officer Working America: Chief Technology Officer 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].
Immediately following the closure of Moon Rabbit at InterContinental on The Wharf and picketing on May 24 and 25, UNITE HERE Local 25 has announced that picket lines will now continue daily. The union is demanding that the restaurant reopen, that workers' jobs are reinstated, that workers are compensated for lost wages resulting from Moon Rabbit's closure, and that the hotel immediately recognize the union and set dates for bargaining. The pickets will take place seven days a week, from 2:30-5:00pm at 801 Wharf St. SW. Dyana Forester on why you should join the pickets at InterContinental
Donate to InterContinental on The Wharf Solidarity Fund
30,000 petition signatures opposed to job loss and higher grocery prices
Not a nurse? There are lots of ways to show your support for George Washington University Hospital Nurses Union
Laurel City Council Pass Charter Amendment Granting DPW Employees Collective Bargaining Rights On May 22 the Laurel, MD City Council unanimously passed a charter amendment granting its Department of Public Works Employees the right to collective bargaining. UFCW Local 1994 Organizer John Barry applauded Councilmembers Martin Mitchell and Carl Dewalt for their active support of the DPW efforts. Apply to join Maryland Comptroller’s Advisory CouncilsMaryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman will convene 11 new Advisory Councils and Work Groups to provide opportunities for members of the public to advise the agency on strategic direction. The groups will include Business, Climate, Faith Leaders, Financial Literacy, Information Technology, Labor, Local Government, New Americans, Staff, Tax Practice, and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Applications are now open. The deadline to apply is June 23, 2023. Upcoming EventsUnion Night at the Washington Mystics game Saturday, June 3 — 6:00pm Join Pride at Work and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA to welcome the WNBA Players and Players Association to the AFL-CIO! Get tickets » 17th Annual Northeast Shoot for a Cure Charity Sporting Clays Shoot Wednesday, June 14 — 10:00am Point at Pintail, 511 Pintail Point Farm Lane, Queenstown, MD Contact Mark Gagliardi at (925) 698-0719 or [email protected] Union night at Camden Yards Friday, July 14 — 7:05pm Join the Metro Baltimore Council AFL-CIO for Union Night at the Baltimore Orioles game! $5 of every ticket sale directly benefits Community Services. Contact Blaine Boone at (410) 247-4898 or [email protected]. Labor Day with the Washington Nationals vs. Texas Rangers Wednesday, July 7 — 7:05pm Join us at Nationals Park as we honor and recognize the 15th Annual Labor Union Day. To purchase 10 or more tickets contact Josh Grohs at (202) 640-7714 or [email protected]. Get tickets » Labor Day at Washington Commanders vs. Arizona Cardinals Sunday, September 10 — 1:00pm Each union that brings out 50 or more people will be able to come onto the field after the game to take a photo. Each ticket includes a $5 donation. Contact Ari Kwitkin-Close at (301) 276-6406 or [email protected]. The 26th Annual Community Services Agency Golf Tournament Monday, October 16, 2023 — 7:00am Enterprise Golf Course, 2802 Enterprise Road, Mitchellville, MD For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Letycia Pastrana at [email protected]. Labor Day with the Commanders vs. NY Giants Sunday, November 19, 2023 — 1:00pm Each union that brings out 50 or more people will be able to come onto the field after the game to take a photo. Each ticket includes a $5 donation. Contact Ari Kwitkin-Close at (301) 276-6406 or [email protected]. NewsPoll: The Public Overwhelmingly Supports The Writers’ Strike More Perfect Union — May 22, 2023 More than 70 percent of Americans—including a clear majority of Trump supporters—support the Writers Guild of America’s ongoing strike for better pay, working conditions, and job security, according to a new poll. AFGE Scores Victory at Supreme Court in Case Involving Dual-status National Guard Technicians AFGE – May 22, 2023 In a major victory for AFGE, the Supreme Court May 18 ruled in favor of the union, preserving collective bargaining rights for dual-status technicians working for National Guards in a civilian role. Su has what it takes to be secretary of Labor The Hill — May 25, 2023 For these reasons among others, no one is better suited, nor better qualified than Julie Su for the job of secretary of Labor. Union Organizers and Restaurant Workers Protested Moon Rabbit’s Closure at the Wharf Today Washingtonian — May 24, 2023 Schwalb, who’s been organizing unions for 20 years, said, "I’ve never seen [a reaction] this bad… Forty-five people have been thrown out on the street." Former Moon Rabbit restaurant employees protest for better working conditions ABC-7 — May 24, 2023 Former cooks, servers and runners of the recently closed Moon Rabbit restaurant demonstrated in support of a union contract, higher wages and healthcare benefits. Biden Labor Board Restores Right to Use Heated Language Labor Notes — May 26, 2023 The ruling reversed the Trump era’s infamous General Motors decision, which had upended 70 years of precedent protecting workers’ rights to use strong language when pressing union points. Companies Are Taking a Harder Line on Union Organizers, Workers Say The New York Times — May 24, 2023 This year, more than 70 Starbucks corporate employees placed their names on a petition calling on the company to stay neutral in union elections and to “respect federal labor laws.” The NLRB has issued dozens of complaints against the company accusing it of illegal behavior, which the company denies. One Small Union Is Stoking Much of the Militant New Graduate Worker Organizing Truthout — May 29, 2023 The past two years have seen a fresh wave of graduate worker militancy marked by bold strikes, new organizing drives and whopping union election victories. Amid this surge, one union is showing up a surprising amount: the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, or the “UE.” Unions Are Stepping Up to Find a Solution to California’s Housing Crisis The Nation — May 25, 2023 Most ambitiously, it has requested the creation of a dedicated fund—the money generated by a 7 percent surcharge on restaurant meals and hotel stays—to provide affordable Los Angeles housing to industry workers. Around the region
Left: AFL-CIO and WGA East members called on Disney to quit undervaluing writers and come to an agreement last week. Right: Starbucks workers in Ellicott City, MD, held their first pin day last week as union efforts get underway. 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].
 On Monday management at the InterContinental on The Wharf informed workers that restaurant Moon Rabbit will close amidst a union organizing campaign. Hospitality workers union UNITE HERE Local 25 has called for a boycott of non-union hotels operated by the InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG). “Denying workers the ability to freely choose to be represented by a union is a drastic business choice,” Dyana Forester, Metro Washington Council president said in a statement. “The District made outsized investment in the Wharf and we want businesses that reflect DC values. I encourage the mayor and DC Council to consider what actions are appropriate in this situation.” Read the full statement » TODAY: Picket InterContinental Hotel on the Wharf with UNITE HERE Local 25
 Do you want to be where the people are? Join AFL-CIO, union members, and allies today from 5:45-7:00pm to leaflet Disney's screening of The Little Mermaid at the Motion Picture Association in solidarity with WGA East and WGA West. RSVP here. Today at noon: #StopTheMerger
Hiring Hall: Union jobs in DC + Maryland
AFL-CIO: Senior Digital Strategist AFL-CIO: Political Writer / Researcher AFL-CIO: Contract Campaigns Manager Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund: Senior Pension Strategy Analyst AFSCME: Assistant Auditor I – Auditing Department AFT Maryland: Lead Organizer AFT Maryland: Organizer (2) International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers: Intermediate Coordinator of Documents Jobs To Move America: Development Director League of Conservation Voters: Fundraising Operations & Training Manager Maryland State Education Association: Organizational Specialist for Political and Legislative Affairs Maryland State Education Association: Organizer – Higher Education Maryland State Education Association: UniServ Director – Calvert County Maryland State Education Association: UniServ Director – Eastern Shore Maryland State Education Association: Organizational Specialist for Association Leadership and Organizational Development National Treasury Employees Union: Deputy Director of Negotiations SEIU International: Ethics Ombudsperson / Assistant General Counsel The Sunrise Project: Senior Communications Campaigner Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO: Policy Analyst UFCW International: Network Support Administrator I UNITE HERE Local 25: Campaign Researcher Working America: State Program Director, At-Large Working America: Senior State Program Director Working America: Chief Information Officer Working America: Chief Technology Officer Worker Rights Consortium: Communications and Research Associate Around the Region
This past Saturday, AFSCME Local 1693 ratified a new contract and won raises! Starting July 1, 2023, all Unit III employees will advance 1 step on the salary scale and receive a 6% cost of living adjustment. Congratulations!
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].
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