Labor in the News (7/7/08)

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

THE DISTRICT: Ex-Offenders Protest Lack of Jobs, Services: “More than 100 ex-offenders, some recently released from prison, and their families marched through downtown Washington yesterday, accusing business leaders of not hiring enough people who have served their time and District officials of not demanding that they do so,” reported Robert E. Pierre in the Washington Post last Wednesday. Click here for the entire story. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY: Teacher Bonuses Get Unions’ Blessing in Prince George’s County: The Washington Post’s Nelson Hernandez reported Wednesday, June 25 that “One of the most ambitious pay-for-performance initiatives in Washington area schools is drawing strong teacher interest and local union support,” in Prince George’s County. Click here for the full story. No Pay Raises for Prince George’s County Police, Firefighters?: "We will be out fighting this day in and day out," said Doug Bartholomew, president of the firefighters union, accusing County Executive Jack Johnson of trying to solve the budget crisis "on the backs of 6,000 county workers," reported the Washington Post's Rosalind S. Helderman last Wednesday. Click here for the entire story. MONTGOMERY COUNTY: Worker Issues Lead MontCo Council Agenda Before Break: “Before taking this week off, the County Council agreed last week to implement three outstanding retirement issues negotiated by County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) with the county’s employee unions,” reported Janel Davis in last Wednesday’s Gazette. For the entire story, click here. NORTHERN VIRGINIA: SEIU 32BJ Files NLRB Complaint at NoVA Apartment Complex: Tierney Plumb of the Washington Business Journal reported last Tuesday that SEIU 32BJ “has accused Christos Building Services Inc. of unfair labor practices at a Pentagon City apartment complex” because the company has “avoided bargaining obligations with the 21 employees due to their union affiliation.” Click here to read the full story. Manassas and “The Liberty Wall”: Gaudencio Fernandez – a Manassas resident who has constructed a “Wall of Liberty” on his property to protest the growing anti-immigrant sentiment in Northern Virginia – is fighting with the city to allow the wall to stay, reported Nick Miroff in last Wednesday’s Washington Post. “The sign's text has changed a few times, but its message has essentially remained the same: Latino immigrants have been exploited by ungrateful, racist white residents who took advantage of their labor and now want them to leave.” For the full story, click here. NATIONAL LABOR COLLEGE: Edwards Say Unions Are Key for Workers: “In a society that values profits over the common man, everyday workers must fight even harder for their rights, former presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. John Edwards told National Labor College graduates Saturday,” reported Amber Parcher in last Wednesday’s Gazette. Click here to read the full story.