 Dozens of MetroAccess workers based out of Gaithersburg picketed WMATA subcontractor Challenger Transportation on Tuesday. The workers voted unanimously to join the Amalgamated Transit Union in August 2018 and have been attempting to negotiate a fair first contract ever since. In June, they voted to authorize a strike, and Tuesday’s practice picket was one of several steps the ATU will take to ensure members are “strike ready” should Challenger continue to refuse to settle a fair deal. “My sister is disabled,” said State Senator Jeff Waldstreicher who walked the picket line with Delegate Gabriel Acevero. “If she gets picked up, I want her to know she has a fully-vetted person picking her up...who is making a living wage and will take care of her. I’m proud to stand with you and proud to stand with ATU.”
 The Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO is hosting an Inaugural Municipal Class for Labor Candidates on September 7 at IBEW Local 26’s union hall in Lanham, MD. “This is your call to Stand Up and Be Counted by finding and recruiting members in your union to become Maryland’s Wave of Union Members Winning Political Offices,” said State Fed president Donna Edwards. Metro Washington Council president Jackie Jeter urged “Every metro-area union local to join the effort” to recruit local union members to run for elected office. The State Fed is targeting municipal races this Fall, identifying what Legislative/Political Director Chuck Cook called “high electability possibilities” in eight Maryland cities, including Aberdeen, Bel Air, Bowie, Delmar, Denton, Greenbelt, Greensboro and Pittsville. Email [email protected] for more details on the Sept. 7 class and requirements for potential candidates.
 This Labor Day, Union Plus is celebrating union members with a 2019 commemorative pin. Through September 6, 2019, you can request one pin per person while supplies last. To request this free, union-made pin, visit unionplusgiveaway.org and complete the form; you’ll receive your limited-edition pin in 4-8 weeks. “We encourage you to spread union pride by sharing this exclusive offer with your union member friends,” says Union Plus. “Thank you for all you do and have a wonderful Labor Day!”
 "It's so rare that I ask a question (silently) and get an answer (very publicly) in the same news cycle!" writes Ann Hoffman. "I saw the saxophonist on the side of a building on 14th Street a day or two ago when driving downtown. As is often the case, I asked myself two questions: who is that man and has that mural always been there but I just never saw it before. And along comes Union City (Cool jazz, mural and remembrances honor saxophonist letter-carrier Buck Hill 8/27 UC) and answers both questions - without making me feel dumb. Bless you my cultural guide!"
"Buck Hill delivered Council 26's mail when our office was on K Street," writes Carl Goldman. "He probably delivered the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild, Local 35's mail too, because they were in the same building. He was a really nice guy and great sax player. I am glad to see that he is being honored with mural." |
