When unions work together in solidarity, we can accomplish incredible things. I’ve seen this many times over the years in my work in the labor movement. When UNITE HERE Local 25 members have been on the picket line for fair wages, having our allied union brothers and sisters show up and join us never failed to make our organizing more powerful and more successful. The same was true during my time with 1199 SEIU. When we were fighting for better conditions at hospitals and nursing homes, support from our fellow unions made victory possible. This is also true of bigger fights for justice. From defending our legal right to safe and fair conditions at work, to stopping corporate exploitation, to matters of economic justice and more, the DC region needs a powerful and united labor movement to help win a better future for every worker and our families. That is the work I am honored and humbled to take up as the newly elected president of the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO. The Council unites more than 150 union locals across DC, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and southern Maryland. Together our Affiliate unions represent tens of thousands of workers. When we work together, we win. The Metro Washington Council unites the hardworking union locals that make our transit systems, construction trades, schools, hospitals, supermarkets, coffee shops, newspapers, commercial office buildings and so much more run each and every day. I know that together we can accomplish incredible things. I welcome your partnership as my new role gets underway. Please reach out to me at any time to [email protected]. I look forward to what we can win together. Samuel Epps President, Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO Actions & Events
Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO's Evening with Labor is coming up on Friday, April 12, and registration is now open. Get your tickets today for this annual celebration of the powerful labor movement in DC and Maryland.
Nominations close FRIDAY for the 2024 Evening with Labor AwardsNominations close this Friday, March 8 for the 2024 Evening with Labor Awards. If you know an individual or organization in the labor movement who went above and beyond last year, nominate them for this year's awards: Metro Washington Council's Committee on Political Education (COPE) meetings for three jurisdictions will take place later this month. Register now to join the meeting near you:
Hiring Hall: Union jobs in DC and Maryland
Share your newsGot an action, event, open position, or other update you want labor leaders in DC and Maryland to know about? Submit news items to [email protected].
Fairfax Connector bus service will remain suspended through Monday as workers continue to strike. “The Union and Transdev were not able to come to a resolution today," said ATU Local 689 spokesperson Ben Lynn on Sunday. "Further discussion on key economic issues is needed and the two sides are expected to meet again on this Tuesday, March 5. Transdev has continued to repeat an outlandish and inflated dollar amount for the compensation package offered to workers without providing the union with the complete financial data and calculations." Read more » More on Fairfax Connector workers' fight:
Mendelson questions DCPS for scheduling 5 AM bargaining session with Washington Teachers' Union
Nominations close THIS FRIDAY for the 2024 Evening with Labor AwardsNominations close this Friday, March 8 for the 2024 Evening with Labor Awards. If you know an individual or organization in the labor movement who went above and beyond last year, nominate them for this year's awards: Actions + EventsMetro Washington Council's Committee on Political Education (COPE) meetings are a chance for members of our Affiliate unions to learn about our rights and what's happening in the local labor movement. SAVE THE DATE! COPE meetings for three jurisdictions will take place later this month. Mark your calendar to join the meeting near you:
Evening with Labor 2024Registration is now open for Evening with Labor 2024! Join Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO and allies from across the region for this annual celebration of the powerful labor movement in DC and Maryland and our victories, teamwork, and outstanding leaders of the past year. Sponsor this year's celebration: Around the RegionTop left: Members of IBEW Local 26 celebrated at the EWMC Solidarity Gala. Top right: AFGE District 14 hosted their 2024 Women's Conference, which focused on building a union that is all about serving and supporting one another. Bottom left: Today marks the first day of Women in Construction Week. This week we salute the skilled tradeswomen at all our Affiliate partners in the construction trades. Bottom right: March is Women's History Month, and all month long we celebrate the contributions women have made throughout history to today's labor movement. Share your newsGot an action, event, open position, or other update you want labor leaders in DC and Maryland to know about? Submit news items to [email protected].
Council Delegates choose officer of powerful hotel union local to lead region-wide coalition FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 28, 2024 CONTACT: [email protected] Washington DC — Yesterday Delegates to the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO, voted to elect Samuel Epps, Political Director at UNITE HERE Local 25, to be the next president of the Council. The Delegates who participated in last night’s election include representatives from more than two dozen of the most active labor union locals in DC and Maryland. UNITE HERE Local 25 represents hotel workers and over the last several years, with Epps as part of its leadership, the local has won a state house majority in Virginia, a daily room cleaning law for hotel housekeeping staff in DC, and more. “Sam's leadership with UNITE HERE Local 25 is some of the most strategic and powerful organizing happening in the DC region right now,” said Greg Bowen, Executive Board Member of ATU Local 689 who has served as Metro Washington Council’s interim president since January. “With last night’s vote, Council Delegates made clear that Sam is a leader the labor movement in DC and Maryland are ready to unite behind.” “The DC region needs a united labor movement ready to fight for strong union contracts as well as policies that affect all working people,” says Epps. “That’s what the Metro Washington Council does every day and I’m honored to take on this new leadership role within that work.” Dyana Forester served as president of the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO from 2020 until January 2024, when she stepped down to join the Administration of Governor Wes Moore. Epps has begun the transition process into this new role. ## Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO unites nearly 200 local affiliate unions who together represent more than 150,000 members in DC and Maryland. Learn more at dclabor.org.
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