With the D.C. City Council set to have its first hearing today on legislation regulating short-term rental companies like Airbnb, labor-supported ShareBetter on April 24 released a video that shows "more and more homes[being] used for tourist rentals" particularly in communities of color where gentrification is a growing concern. And yesterday, news brokethat the District’s Attorney General is suing a California company for allegedly turning units in four D.C. apartment buildings into illegal short-term rentals. “My office is using all of the tools available to us to preserve affordable housing for District residents,” AG Karl Racine said. “We will aggressively pursue individuals and companies that seek to circumvent the District’s rent-control laws, and we are actively investigating other instances where apartment managers or owners are treating rent-controlled apartments like hotel rooms and renting them out on sharing-economy platforms.” How does Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld’s plan for metro hurt riders and workers? Get details at the Save Our System Campaign meeting this Thursday afternoon, where a number of local unions and community allies are already planning to come together to learn more about the campaign’s goals. Americans for Transit Executive Director Sigute Meilus will draw a contrast between Wiedefeld’s system-killing proposals and the campaign’s plan to involve and support riders and workers. The meeting is Thursday, April 27 at 2p at the AFL-CIO; RSVP here.
The Metro Washington Council’s Community Services Agency is seeking volunteers for the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive kickoff on May 2nd. “It’s a media event but there will be a volunteer activity from 12-1 where volunteers will be repacking food for delivery to food pantries,” says CSA Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy. President Trumka will be speaking at the kickoff at 11a at the Capitol Area Food Bank (4900 Puerto Rico Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017). To volunteer, contact Matt Losak at 202 974-8226 or email [email protected] asap. The 25th annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is scheduled for Saturday, May 13, when you can put non-perishable food in bags or boxes out by your mailbox for pick up. "I have a collection of labor and union related books (30-40) that I'd like to donate to a union, preferably a large local that has a library where members might actually read them," writes Sharon Simon. "Do you have any ideas?"
Email [email protected] if you have suggestions. |