Montgomery County Council Salutes Williams

The first order of business at yesterday's Montgomery County Council meeting was a proclamation honoring retiring Metro Washington Council president Jos Williams (click here to see the video). County workers, taxi drivers and County Council members crowded around Williams, shaking his hand, embracing him and offering their best wishes for the man who's led the local labor movement for as long as anyone can remember. The proclamation said Williams “is an inspiration to all who have worked with him in the past and will continue to inspire all those who serve in the future.” “Jos is a trailblazer who made it his life's work to focus on fairness for working people,” said Councilmember Nancy Navarro (left). “I have been honored to stand in unity with him and the AFL-CIO to bring economic justice to the workplace, improve the lives of working families and to promote social justice in our county, state and nation. We will continue the fight because there is still much to accomplish; however, it won't be the same without Jos on the front line with us." Williams recalled first coming to the county as a young man new to the area and getting involved in battles over housing... click below to read more

Thanking the Council for "all the great work you have done," Williams noted that "Montgomery County has been the Mecca for economic and social justice in the state." UFCW 1994/MCGEO president Gino Renne said that "Jos has been a warrior for social and economic justice his entire life, and has always stood shoulder to shoulder with our members regardless of the battle." Williams drew laughter and a standing ovation when he declared that while he's retiring as Metro Council president, "I'm not retiring from the labor movement," promising he'll be keeping a close eye on the fight for justice in Montgomery County.
Williams will receive the JC Turner Award for Outstanding Trades Unionist at the March 12 Evening with Labor; email kmckirchy@dclabor.org or call 202-974-8221 for tickets.
photos by Chris Garlock (group shot) and Council staff (Navarro photo)

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