Metro Washington Council president Jackie Jeter is stepping down from the Council. Jeter, elected to a second 3-year term earlier this year, retired from leading ATU 689 late last year and says she’s now ready to fully retire. “When I retired from the ATU, I promised myself that I would give back to those who have given me energy, strength and unconditional love all these years, and that’s my family,” Jeter said. “My tenure at the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO has been a special experience capping a long career in the labor movement and I’m especially grateful to the Council’s board and staff as well as to all of our wonderful affiliated locals who work so hard and so effectively every day for working men and women throughout the region.” Jeter’s resignation is effective January 28, 2020; details on the election for a new president will be released soon. photo: Jeter accepting the J.C Turner Labor Leader of the Year Award in March, 2011 click here for latest listings Union City Radio: 7:15am M-F; WPFW 89.3FM Transdev bus driver picket line (ATU 689): Daily 4:00am – 5:00pm Gates of the Cinder Bed Road Division, 7901 Cinder Bed Road, Lorton, VA ATU 689 tweet yesterday: "We met with Transdev again yesterday. They continue to play games and waste time. Despite only bargaining every other week, they take multiple long breaks throughout the day. Transdev is unserious about getting a contract and is a threat to public transit everywhere they operate." DCNA Community Holiday Party for tots in Wards 7&8: Fri, December 20, 6:30pm – 9:00pm The Rise Demonstration Center, 2730 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. A majority of Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) staff across 11 offices in five states and Washington D.C. have voted to join the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. "We celebrate this momentous victory, which comes after nearly nine months of tireless organizing,” said the SPLC Union Organizing Committee. "This is a historic moment in the history of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and in the history of labor organizing in the Deep South.” The vote was 142 to 45. The SPLC Union is the third largest unit in WBNG and the union’s largest non-profit unit. Read more here Thanks to the big hearts of IUOE Local 99 members, striking members of ATU Local 689 will have a brighter holiday. Local 99 donated six large bags of toys for the kids of Lorton bus drivers who have been on strike for more than two months. “What a wonderful expression of solidarity," said Community Services Agency Executive Director Sonte DuCote. “Our members are thrilled to be able to contribute to our striking brothers and sisters this holiday season,” said Local 99 Business Manager Don Havard. “Local 689 is very grateful for the solidarity and generosity of Local 99 and the Community Services Agency,” said Local 689 president Raymond Jackson. photo: ATU 689 strikers Marie McKenzie, Mary Yirenkyi, Messay Alemu, Zinabu Nigatu, Feseha Ambaye, Tsegaye Habte; photo by Michelle Peterson |