3 Big Wins Highlight Council Meeting

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)A trio of victories highlighted last night’s meeting of the Metro Washington Council, including Tuesday’s approval of the Displaced Workers Act in Montgomery County, breaking news that CWA and IBEW had finally reached a tentative agreement with Verizon (see story above) and the settlement of the strike by Chicago teachers. “This was not 32BJ SEIU’s win alone,” said 32BJ District Chair Jaime Contreras, referring to the Montgomery County bill, “this was a victory for everyone who came together in solidarity.” WTU 6 President Nathan Saunders credited national support “especially through social media” for helping sustain the striking Chicago teachers in their 10-day strike. Also front and center were ongoing registration and get-out-the-vote efforts by the local labor movement throughout metro Washington, not only around the Presidential election but in support of four referendums in Maryland as well as other local issues and candidates, which will be covered in greater detail in the days and weeks ahead. Draft minutes of the meeting and further reports on Council actions there will also be posted soon. - photo: new delegates getting sworn in at last night’s Metro Council meeting; photo by Chris Garlock