 IUOE Local 99 will be picketing tomorrow, June 30, outside the CIA headquarters, after more than a year of contract disputes with their employer, AECOM.
Picketing will begin at 2 pm on route 123 (Dolly Madison), and will continue until around 5:30 or 6 pm. AECOM, Local 99's largest single signatory is the operations and maintenance contractor at the CIA, where it employs hundreds of workers. Local 99 has been in a bargaining impasse with the employer for over a year and has a pending Unfair Labor Practice against AECOM. Parking will be available at Langley Fork Park, which is immediately adjacent to the CIA main gate. Click here for a map.  Union City is sad to report on the unexpected passing of Rick Malachi, SEIU Local 722’s Political Director/Organizing Director/Business Agent and, as the local describes him, “Jack of all Trades”. “Rick was a very active community organizer, labor council delegate, and able spokesperson for Local 722 and he will be missed,” stated MWC President Jos Williams. “He totally cared about workers and especially the advancement of the African-American community. Our most sincere condolences to his family, to his local and to his friends.” Details to follow on his arrangements.
 President of ATU Local 689 Jackie Jeter called on Metro's board of directors to address the recent safety concerns raised by the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) latest report, pointing out that Metro workers pointed out these concerns long ago, but received no response. “We are tired of waiting for the next accident or fatality before something gets done,” she said in a Sunday op-ed in the Washington Post. “The members and leadership of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 have made numerous attempts to work with Metro on developing a safety culture.” Jeter continued to say that all of ATU’s attempts to solve any safety issues were ignored by the Metro Board of Directors. She hopes that the new FTA report will provide the push needed to finally make a positive change. However, she added, “changing means more than just new safety rules and regulations. There has to be the effort to enact, teach and apply safety standards so that every employee can follow the directives.” Read the full article here. photo: ATU members speak out at a hearing on Metro safety. photo Courtesy of ATU Local 689
 Metro Washington Council Union Cities Mobilizer Chris Garlock and his wife Lisa began their 200-mile walk in Wales yesterday; in addition to celebrating their 32nd wedding anniversary, the two are walking to raise money for the MWC Community Services Agency's Emergency Assistance Fund , which assists hundreds of DC-area families annually with emergency financial needs. Donate what you can: .25/mile = $50; .50/mi = $100; $1/mi = $200; or whatever amount you like, "it will go to help prevent utility cut-offs and evictions, provide needed prescriptions, transportation so members can keep working, food, child care and other needs," says CSA Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy. Click here to contribute.
Photo: sculpture celebrating canal workers in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Lisa Garlock |