2011: DC Labor's Year In Review (Part 5)

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)This wraps up our review of some of the local labor movement's highlights from the past year. “It’s a brand new year,” says Council President Jos Williams, “and we’re looking forward to seeing even more solidarity in 2012 as we continue the struggle for workers locally and across the globe.”

October 17: New 4-Year Contract for DC-Metro/Baltimore Office Cleaners Protects 12,000 Good Jobs
Less than 24 hours before their contract expired, area office cleaners Sunday night won a tentative agreement with wage increases. “This is not just a win for working families and our communities, but it ensures tenants will receive professional service and gives our economy a much-needed boost," said Jaime Contreras, SEIU 32BJ Capital Area Director...

November 4: "Tax Wall Street" Thousands Demand at U.S. Treasury
Thousands of activists rallied outside the U.S. Treasury yesterday to demand a tax on Wall Street. Chanting “Banks got bailed out, we got sold out!” the demonstrators, led by the National Nurses United (NNU) and joined by the AFL-CIO, unions and community activists, including participants from the Occupy Wall Street movement, rallied in Lafayette Park and then marched on the Treasury Department...

December 1: DC Workers Support Massive UK Public Sector Strike
Chanting “No ifs, no buts, no public sector cuts” as they circled outside the British Embassy in Northwest DC, over 100 area workers rallied Wednesday in a show of solidarity with striking public sector workers in Britain...

December 7: Bad Day for K Street Lobbyists
It was not a good day to be a DC lobbyist. Despite a steady rain, bands of activists roamed downtown Washington, massing outside lobbyist offices to chant “Banks got bailed out, we got sold out!” and “We are the 99 percent!”...