 Today starting at 1:00pm, join us for our monthly meeting of the DC Committee on Political Education (COPE) as we meet with DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb. AG Schwalb will join us to discuss know your rights, wages, and more. Register to attend today's DC COPE call: COPE calls are open to all union members of Metro Washington Council's affiliate unions. Not sure whether your union is included? See the list of our affiliates. Workers rally for a contract at Sofitel, one of the Biden Administration’s preferred hotel brands
Workers rallied outside Sofitel last week. Photos via UNITE HERE Local 25. Hotel workers at Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square are organizing to join UNITE HERE and the International Union of Operating Engineers, despite the hotel holding mandatory anti-union meetings and threatening to change the schedule of the employee leading the organizing effort. Read more » DC unions in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America On Thursday, DC's labor community turned out in solidarity with striking Writers Guild of America (WGA) members to leaflet a Comcast NBC-Universal event near the U.S. Navy Memorial. Writers are facing the most comprehensive assault on compensation and working conditions that they have seen in a generation. Like too many working people across our economy, as corporate profits grow, writers are just not keeping up. Learn more about the WGA strike » Congratulations to NOVA Labor Federation's awardees
Congratulations to Northern Virginia Labor Federation AFL-CIO's awardees and President Virginia Diamond for a fantastic awards event! We were grateful to be together with everyone for a wonderful evening. National Nurses United celebrates re-introduction of Medicare For All “In my 35 years working as a nurse, I’ve seen a lot of patients suffer because they didn’t have health insurance,” said Nancy Hagans, RN and a member of NNU’s council of presidents. “The current system discriminates based on your ability to pay, what kind of job you have, or if you have a job at all. It’s a disgrace. As a nurse for more than three decades, I know without any doubt — we must have Medicare for All.” Read more » Upcoming EventsMental Health Awareness Training with AFGE Wednesday, May 31 — 7:00-8:00pm Learn best practices on how to increase mental health awareness amongst union members, recognize stigmas and discuss how to support members in the workplace. Register » Union 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! Saturday, June 3 will be Union Night at the Washington Mystics WNBA game. 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 For more information, 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. For more information contact Metro Baltimore Council, AFL-CIO's CSA Executive Director 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 many labor unions and members around the area for the 15th Annual Labor Union Day. A portion of every ticket benefits the Community Services Agency, AFL-CIO. 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 union that brings out 75 or more people will be able to get a welcome message on the jumbotron AND a photo on the field after the game. Each ticket includes a $5 donation back to the unions. 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 union that brings out 75 or more people will be able to get a welcome message on the jumbotron AND a photo on the field after the game. Each ticket includes a $5 donation back to the unions. Contact Ari Kwitkin-Close at (301) 276-6406 or [email protected]. NewsDC hotel workers enlist US representatives to fight Sofitel union-busting Hotel Dive – May 16, 2023 The organizing workers are largely immigrants, women and people of color, many of whom say their jobs aren’t sufficient to support themselves. Teachers' union releases statement after increase in DC crime WUSA – May 18, 2023 The Washington Teachers' Union put out a statement late last night -- pointing to the need for wraparound services like counseling and mentoring. Laurel, MD city council set to vote on charter amendment granting bargaining rights to public works employees On May 22nd, at its monthly public hearing, the Laurel City Council will be voting on Charter Amendment No. 179, "DPW Collective Bargaining." Unions challenge layoffs at green groups Green Wire — May 15, 2023 Following layoffs at the Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife in recent weeks, unions representing staff at both organizations filed charges alleging unfair labor practices with the National Labor Relations Board. Train engineers union reaches first sick-time deal with Norfolk Southern railroad Associated Press – May 18, 2023 The union that represents railroad engineers finally secured its first deal for paid sick time with Norfolk Southern, several months after other rail unions began reaching similar agreements with the major freight railroads. Biden-Harris Administration Announces Strategies to Train and Connect American Workers to Jobs Created by the President’s Investing in America Agenda The White House – May 16, 2023 The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced new efforts to ensure all Americans can access the good jobs created by the President’s Investing in America agenda. 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].
 TV screenwriters – the driving force behind the programming that fuels television networks and streaming services and generates billions in profits – are facing the most comprehensive assault on compensation and working conditions in a generation. On Thursday, May 18, from 5:30-7:30pm, join the AFL-CIO to leaflet on behalf of WGA East outside a Comcast NBC Universal film screening in DC. Meet at 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. RSVP to join tonight's action: Call your Senators to support Julie Su for Secretary of Labor Julie Su has made a career out of representing not only workers, but the most vulnerable workers in America. As a young attorney representing trafficked Thai garment workers outside of Los Angeles, she won $4 million in stolen wages. Her case set a huge precedent, and that was just the beginning of a storied career.
But right now, well-heeled lobbyists and corporate special interests are spending big to block Su’s confirmation because they know she puts working people first. Workers deserve a labor secretary who will fiercely defend us. Call your senators today and tell them to vote to confirm Julie Su as secretary of the Department of Labor.  Steps from the White House, workers at the Accor-managed Sofitel are organizing for good jobs, safety and respect. Since learning of these efforts, the hotel has held mandatory anti-union meetings and threatened to change the schedule of an employee who is leading the union organizing effort. Hotel workers need your help! Workers at the Sofitel are holding a rally TODAY to advertise that there is no contract there with UNITE HERE Local 25. RALLY WITH SOFITEL WORKERS TODAY: Wednesday, May 17 5:00 PM Sofitel - 806 15th St NW “Sofitel must stop its union busting practices and honor the dignity of work,” said Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). “These workers fight to make ends meet, while the hotel owner – Brookfield Asset Management – continues to rake in billions of dollars. It’s past time these workers got the respect they deserve.” One job should be enough to survive in D.C. The rally is to advertise that the D.C. Sofitel has no union contract with UNITE HERE Local 25. Accor should agree to a fair process that allows workers to organize and decide whether to form a union without bullying and intimidation. We hope to see you there. Thursday: Do the write thing and join AFL-CIO to leaflet for WGA East
June 3: Union Night at the Washington Mystics WNBA Game
Hiring Hall: New DC-area Jobs + OpportunitiesAFL-CIO — Contract Campaigns Manager
African Communities Together: DC/MD/VA Chapter Director AFSCME: Health and Safety Advocate American Association of University Professors: Field Service Representative/Trainer American Federation of Teachers: National Representatives Communications Workers of America: Campaign Lead-District 1 Good Jobs First — Administrator Jobs To Move America — Communications Director Jobs with Justice — Finance Director The News Guild/CWA: Senior Campaign Lead Solidarity Center — Multiple positions UNITE HERE Local 25 — Union Organizing Apprenticeship UNITE HERE Local 25 — Campaign Researcher UNITE HERE Local 25 — DC Hotel Workers Rising: Summer Organizing Cohort UNITE HERE — Customer Campaign Lead Organizer UNITE HERE — FairHotel Organizer UNITE HERE — Campaign Researcher Working America: State Program Director Working America: Senior Development Manager Worker Rights Consortium -- Communications and Research Associate Fairmont workers: "Say it loud, shut it down: DC is a union town"Workers at the Fairmont Washington DC, Georgetown, operated by Accor, are not protected by a union contract. Local 25 has negotiated contract with other hotels that include 100% employer-paid healthcare, employer-funded fixed-benefit pensions, protected days off, overtime pay, room quotas for housekeepers, and schedules in advance. Fairmont workers picketed throughout the week last week » After a year of organizing, Congressional staff union leaders look ahead to collective bargaining The Congressional Workers Union — the umbrella organization for the six House Democrat offices that have formed unions, plus the seven others that have petitioned to hold union elections and any other staffers looking to organize their corners of Capitol Hill — turned 1 year old Wednesday. Read more » "Gov. Wes Moore, help higher-ed faculty and grad students unionize at Maryland’s public schools."
Upcoming events
2023 Annual “Tribute to Labor” Dinner Event Friday, May 19, 2023, 6:00-7:00pm Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Dr, McLean, VA 22102, USA Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 5: 2023 Apprenticeship Graduation Saturday, May 20, 2023, 1:00pm-4:00pm Martin’s Crosswinds - 7400 Greenway Center Dr., Greenbelt, MD 20770 Mental Health Awareness Training with AFGE May 31, 2023, 7:00-8:00pm Learn best practices on how to increase mental health awareness amongst union members, recognize stigmas and discuss how to support members in the workplace. Register » Save the Date: 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 [email protected]. Recent NewsDC teachers’ retroactive pay delayed due to ‘administrative complications,’ union says WTOP — May 8, 2023 D.C. teachers will receive retroactive pay about a month later than expected. The money is due to teachers as part of a new Washington Teachers’ Union contract with the city, the union said Monday. Child Care and the Care Economy with AFL-CIO The 19th — May 12, 2023 "The lawmakers in this country have to step up to fix our broken care economy. Everyone is affected by care. Period." AFL-CIO Lis Shuler joined The 19th to discuss child care and the care economy. These Unions Are on the Front Lines Fighting Against the Uberization of Us All The Nation — May 12, 2023 The workers with the best chance of actually stopping the Uberization of the workforce (which replaces full-time workers with contractors, turning good jobs into underpaid gigs with no benefits) are in unions that are already established. SEIU Workers at D.C. Headquarters Authorize Strike over Stalled Contract Negotiations Democracy Now — May 10, 2023 Service Employees International Union workers at the union’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., have authorized a strike as they continue contract negotiations for better wages and protections. Staffing Issues And Hostile Workplaces Impacting Postal Workers America's Work Force Union Podcast — May 8, 2023 Mark Dimondstein, President of the American Postal Workers Union, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing staffing issues on the retail and delivery side of postal work. 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]. |
