Evening with Labor 2017: JC Turner Award for Outstanding Trade Unionist of the Year

Carl Goldman started his work in the labor movement over 40 years ago as a DC taxi driver attempting to organize his workplace. He's since organized thousands of federal workers, serving since 1989 as the Executive Director of AFSCME Council 26, which had 7 locals when he began and now has 17. A longtime member – 20 years this year -- of the Executive Board of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO, Carl has been an enthusiastic and outspoken supporter of the Council's efforts, urging the participation and active involvement of Council 26's locals and membership.
Other highlights of Carl's career include developing effective internal and external rank-and-file organizing committees: there have been 24 successful organizing drives under his direction, which won Council 26 the Metro Council's organizing award in 1998, 2000 and 2011. He also worked closely with AFSCME Local 658 in an internal organizing drive that won it the organizing award in 2015. Council 26 won the Metro Council's Golden Picket Sign award in 2004 and during the historic 2013 government shutdown, Council 26 helped lead the way in organizing and participating in creative actions to highlight the key role government workers play in our community.
Carl has long supported the Community Services Agency by doing an annual email letter with CSA flyer to all members during the Combined Federal Campaign, providing representation by members on the CSA board, and supporting the Emergency Assistance Fund. In the late 1970’s, he worked as the community liaison in Prince George's County for the CSA’s prior incarnation, and helped people with unemployment issues and accessing services when they were out on strikes.
A lifelong Washingtonian, Carl has been extremely active in the local community, helping his union and the Metro Council build and strengthen the bonds between labor and community allies.
photo by Chris Garlock/Union City

This is the last in a series of profiles of the winners of the 2016 EWL awards, which will be presented at the 40th annual Evening with Labor on March 25 at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Click here for details on how to place an ad in the program book or purchase tickets.

---