Laborers Local 11, one of the largest area construction unions, is affiliating with the Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO. “We’re looking forward to working with our brothers and sisters in the local labor movement to empower working people,” said Business Manager Dennis Desmond. "We’re thrilled to have Local 11 join the almost 200 other unions that comprise our Council, and know that together we will be able to take on and win even bigger fights to raise up working families throughout the region," said Council Executive Director Carlos Jimenez. Local 11’s 3,600 members come from a variety of different socio-economic backgrounds, and the union “believes that all construction workers should have a real voice in the workplace,” says Local 11. “We aim to unite workers around a common struggle for better workplace conditions. We know that workers who belong to a union receive better pay and benefits than workers who are not being represented. Our members work in the construction industry and earn family-supporting pay, good benefits, and the opportunity for advancement.”