Transit Workers "On the Street" at DC Streetcar Launch

Dozens of transit workers and their allies joined the DC Streetcar launch festivities Saturday, marching down H Street chanting "ATU is in the house and on the street!" to demonstrate their support for streetcar workers who will vote this week on joining ATU Local 689. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)ruled last year that McDonald Transit, the private DDOT contractor charged with operating the streetcar engaged in illegal anti-union activity, and McDonald was forced to promise to stop interfering with worker's organizing efforts. In a related story, transit workers who operate the D.C. Circulator - a District-controlled bus service funded by the District Department of Transportation and operated by private multinational First Transit - will rally outside of the Wilson Building today at 10a to demand wages that allow them to live in the city that they serve. The workers are members of ATU 1764. 
- report/photos by Chris Garlock