The DC LaborFest is proud to be a co-sponsor of the Films Across Borders series, October 8 – December 12, 2017. Showcasing international tales of courage, hope, and determination, this careful selection of documentary and dramatic films will captivate you with stories of immigrants and refugees struggling to find a place to call home. Millions of migrants, countless stories, 25+ films, 10 venues. Most screenings are free, but some require RSVP; click below for the October line-up... The oldest union printing company in the DC area is going the way of the Linotype machine. McArdle Printing is closing its doors at the end of the month. “When the Bureau of National Affairs (which owned McArdle) was bought by Bloomberg they must have had a long term plan to get rid of the plant,” says GCC-IBT 72-C’s Janice Bort. “They ran the company down to the ground and never gave us a decent proposal for a new contract since 2011.” Non-union Corporate Press is taking over some of McArdle’s assets and reports indicate McArdle workers are being forced to reapply for their own jobs, with pay and benefit cuts. “Once upon a time BNA took care of its workers,” Bort said, “now they plan to print non-union. Some of these workers have 30 to 40 years with McArdle. It’s been a sad journey for them.” The Save our System Coalition had a strong showing Thursday morning at the Metro board meeting to testify on behalf of riders. The coalition brought with them 11,000 signatures from riders in support of a flat fare, free transfers, and expanded service. Also in the room were ATU 689 members and riders who expressed concerns about high fares, cut services and discrimination of people of color within the system. - report/photo by Megan Fitzgerald Last Saturday was “a beautiful day for community service!” said Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5. The union’s highly skilled volunteers spent the day providing free inspections and repairs to Prince George's County low-income and disabled residents in need as part of Local 5’s 19th annual Heat's On Water's Off service event. photo source
|