 Despite the daunting national election results on Tuesday, the metro Washington labor movement celebrated some significant local wins. In addition to once again helping deliver the Old Dominion for the Democrats, Virginia voters decisively rejected the attempt to enshrine right to work in the state’s constitution. “Right to work laws have nothing to do with rights and voters saw through the lies,” said Doris Crouse-Mays, President of the Virginia AFL-CIO. “Our Constitution is not a toy and working families will not be used as a pawn in their political game.” However, the Fairfax County meals tax, which had been supported by labor, was defeated. In other local election results...(click below) photo: (top left) UFCW 400's Dyana Forester urges voters to "vote no on 1" at Glebe Elementary; photo by Chris Garlock  ...DC voters overwhelmingly approved the DC Statehood referendum and elected David Grosso (At- Large, Independent), Robert White (At-Large, D), Vince Gray (Ward 7, D) and Trayon White (Ward 8, D), all labor-endorsed.
In Maryland, labor-endorsed candidates Chris Van Hollen (U.S. Senate, D), Anthony Brown (Congressional District 4), Steny Hoyer (Congressional District 5, D) and Jamie Raskin, Congressional District 8, D) were all elected, while Question D in Prince George’s County – which will create two new "At-Large" Council seats -- was approved despite opposition by labor. The electoral votes for both DC and Maryland, as expected, went solidly for Clinton. “The work of the labor movement continues with fresh urgency,” said AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka. “We will never stop striving to represent everyone, fighting for basic human dignity, expanding our diversity and growing our ranks to give working people a strong, united voice.” Metro Washington Council Executive Director Carlos Jimenez called the election of Donald Trump “a wake-up call” for progressives across America. “Donald Trump was right about something being rigged but it wasn’t the election,” said Jimenez, “it’s an economy that isn't benefiting most Americans.” photo: Catching up with the AFSCME District 20 team at their HQ for Election Day Comments are closed.
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