Earlier today, the staff of FRESHFARM farmers markets voted in favor of ratifying their first union contract, making them the first farmers market workers in the country to secure a collective bargaining agreement. “We came together as a collective to improve our working conditions and create good jobs at FRESHFARM,” said Yuval Lev, who has been a FRESHFARM market operator for three years and served on the union’s bargaining committee. “We’re proud to codify these hard-fought gains in this historic contract and continue doing the work we love to serve the community." The farmers market operators unionized last year with UFCW Local 400 and negotiations on the first contract began shortly after. The three-year contract covers approximately 25 employees responsible for staffing and operating nearly 30 local farmers markets in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Read more » Take Action
Upcoming EventsDo you know an outstanding individual or organization in the labor movement who went above and beyond last year? Nominations are now open for the 2024 Evening with Labor Awards! Nominate someone for this year's awards:
Around the RegionTop left: UFCW Local 400 joined Progressive MD on Saturday for a Power Summit featuring legislative speakers and a direct action to pass bills that will benefit Maryland's working families. Top right: The Washington Teachers' Union bargaining committee met with DC Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie to discuss the status of contract negotiations with DCPS. Bottom left: AFSCME Maryland Legislative Director Denise Gilmore joined the Policy Lowdown podcast to discuss how we rely on strong public services in all aspects of our lives and why it's so important to fund them. Bottom right: Aramark Premium workers at Capital One Arena with UNITE HERE Local 23 did a delegation to enforce their rights and win anniversary pay for themselves and all their coworkers! ✊ 🎉
Black workers have always been a crucial part of the fight for justice in the labor movement. From organizing the meatpacking industry to the Pullman strike to striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Black history is America’s history — and it’s America’s labor history, too. This month, AFL-CIO is celebrating great labor leaders like A. Philip Randolph, Hattie Canty, Bayard Rustin, Arlene Holt Baker and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who won historic victories for Black working people. The Civil, Human and Women’s Rights Department has put together a list of recommended reads for the month, and they've made it easy support Black authors and to buy union-made too. See the full list with links to buy from union booksellers » UMD Graduate Labor Union rallies in Annapolis
AFGE backs new legislation to increase pay for federal employees
Apprenticeships + FellowshipsLCLAA's Trabajadoras Fellowship
Hiring Hall: Union jobs in the DC regionAFL-CIO: Data Assistant (3 positions) AFL-CIO: Safety and Health Fellow AFL-CIO: Associate General Counsel AFL-CIO: Strategic Researchers and Organizers AFGE: Customer Service Representative AFSCME: Network Analyst I (2 Positions) Amalgamated Transit Union: Accounting Assistant American Federation of Teachers: National Representative I-IV Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund: Policy Counsel/Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Counsel/Analyst Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund: Managing Director of Policy American Federation of Teachers: National Representative I-IV American Postal Workers Union: Legislative Project Specialist International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Capital Markets Analyst International Union of Painters and Allied Trades: Research Coordinator Jobs With Justice: Development Coordinator League of Conservation Voters: Government Affairs Advocate, Conservation Maryland State Education Association: UniServ Director, Eastern Shore National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians: Staff Representative National Education Association: Chief Financial Officer National Nurses United: Greater DC Area Labor Representative National Nurses United: Legislative Advocate National Nurses United: Political Organizer SEIU CIR: New Organizer SEIU CIR: Lead New Organizer SEIU Local 32BJ: Lead Organizer SEIU Local 32BJ: Organizer SEIU Local 32BJ: Grievance Representative Strategic Organizing Center: Digital Associate Solidarity Center: Program Officer II Solidarity Center: Campaign and Media Communications Officer UFCW: Executive Secretary, National Bargaining Department Virginia Education Association: Racial and Social Justice Grant Coordinator Evening with Labor 2024Do you know an outstanding individual or organization in the labor movement who went above and beyond last year? Nominations are now open for the 2024 Evening with Labor Awards! Nominate someone for this year's awards:
Workers at José Andrés’ latest D.C. restaurant, The Bazaar, won union recognition Friday from the chef’s restaurant group. The workers will join UNITE HERE Local 25, a union known for representing local hotel workers. The Bazaar is located inside the Waldorf Astoria hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, where Local 25 already represents the other workers of the hotel. "I am thrilled that management recognized our union and so excited about what’s to come," Bazaar busser Evelyn Perez said in a statement. "This sends a message not just to my co-workers, but restaurant workers across the D.C. area that we all deserve the dignity, respect, and stable careers that come with a union." Read more » Fairfax Connector union calls on Fairfax County Supervisor to support workers during contract talksOn January 31, ATU Local 689, the union representing Fairfax Connector workers, held a rally and picketed outside the Fairfax County offices calling on Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKaystand with workers during the union's protracted contract talks with Transdev. “It is beyond frustrating and disappointing that Chair McKay has not expressed any public support for our members during the contract negotiations, nor has he taken any to help the two sides reach a deal on a new contract," said Local 689 President Raymond Jackson. Read more » Take Action
Upcoming Events
Evening with Labor 2024Do you know an outstanding individual or organization in the labor movement who went above and beyond last year? Nominations are now open for the 2024 Evening with Labor Awards! Nominate someone for this year's awards:
Nearly 100 workers of The Bazaar, chef José Andrés’ dream restaurant inside Waldorf Astoria Hotel in downtown D.C., are trying to form a union in the hopes of improving their wages and benefits. A supermajority of the restaurant’s workers delivered a petition seeking voluntary recognition to management Tuesday afternoon, according to UNITE HERE Local 25, the labor organization Bazaar employees want to join. The workers have not yet received a response, per Local 25. Read more » League of Conservation Voters union ratifies bold and innovative second collective bargaining agreementToday, the League of Conservation Voters and LCV Education Fund (collectively “LCV”) and their employee union Washington-Baltimore News Guild, Local 32035, TNG-CWA, AFL-CIO ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. LCV recognized an employee union in 2019 and LCV’s first contract was ratified in 2020. “We are thrilled to have ratified a collective bargaining agreement that builds on the strengths of the first contract and sets our staff up to thrive so we can fully achieve our work to elect climate champions and protect our environment,” said Rowel Leung, LCV Union Chair and Associate Manager of Major Gifts Coordination & Donor Stewardship. Read more » LCLAA releases new report: "Latino Workers + Unions: A Strategic Partnership for America's Success"
Hiring Hall: Union jobs in the DC regionAFL-CIO: Associate General Counsel AFL-CIO: Strategic Researchers and Organizers AFGE: Labor and Employment Counsel Air Line Pilots Association, International: Aviation Benefits Attorney Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund: Policy Counsel/Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Counsel/Analyst Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund: Managing Director of Policy American Postal Workers Union: Legislative Project Specialist Amalgamated Transit Union: Accounting Assistant Communications Workers of America: Assistant Director of Infrastructure Services and Support Jobs With Justice: Development Coordinator League of Conservation Voters: Government Affairs Advocate, Conservation - Lands & Oceans National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians Communications Workers of America: Staff Representative International Union of Painters and Allied Trades: Research Coordinator Maryland State Education Association: Organizer National Education Association: Chief Financial Officer National Employment Law Project: Measurement, Evaluation, and Impact Program Manager National Employment Law Project: Senior Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney National Nurses United: Political Organizer SEIU Local 32BJ: Grievance Representative SEIU Local 500: Member Strength Organizer SEIU CIR: Negotiations and Grievance Coordinator Strategic Organizing Center: Digital Associate Solidarity Center: Campaign and Media Communications Officer Solidarity Center: General Accountant Solidarity Center: Climate Policy Specialist (P4) Virginia Education Association: Racial and Social Justice Grant Coordinator Virginia Education Association: Membership Records Supervisor Around the RegionDo you know an outstanding individual or organization in the labor movement who went above and beyond last year? Nominations are now open for the 2024 Evening with Labor Awards! Nominate someone for this year's awards:
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