Fairfax Connector workers' union ATU Local 689 and contractor Transdev have been in negotiations for a new contract since October, and bus operators and mechanics have been working under an expired contract since November 30, 2023. Now, they're stepping up. Fairfax Connector workers are on strike for a new contract. Today is Day 5 of the strike, and workers are outside the Fairfax Fair Oaks Marriott, where negotiations between Local 689 and Transdev are due to take place, all day today. There are two ways you can support the strikers: Write to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and contribute to the strike fund: WAMU abruptly closes DCist, lays off 15 staffOn Friday, February 23, management at WAMU, the NPR affiliate owned by American University, abruptly shut down long-time community news outlet DCist and laid off 15 staff — including reporters who covered some of the DC's region most important issues. "These individuals are the lifeblood of our journalism," the WAMU Union, an affiliate of SAG-AFTRA, said in a social media post. "Our hearts are broken. We can’t believe we are losing our colleagues and friends." The union has asked readers and listeners across the region to email WAMU's General Manager Erika Pulley-Hayes and ask her to reverse this decision. NoVA Labor voices opposition to proposal for new Caps, Wizards arenaNorthern Virginia AFL-CIO released a public statement last week opposing a proposal to move the Washington Capitals and Wizards from downtown DC to Alexandria, VA. “Taxpayers should not make a massive investment in a project that is only going to create more low-wage jobs for local workers,” said Virginia Diamond, president of Northern Virginia AFL-CIO. Read more » Nominate a leader for the Evening with Labor 2024 AwardsDo you know an outstanding individual or organization in the labor movement who went above and beyond last year? Nominations are now open for the 2024 Evening with Labor Awards! Nominate someone for this year's awards: Don't wait — nominations close on Friday, March 8. Actions + Events
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 RegionLeft: AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler joined ATU Local 689 members with Fairfax Connector on the picket line last week. Right: Ironworkers Local 5 hosted a community event last weekend together with Forged Pathways, Progressive MD, and WPGC 95.5. Once a year the entire labor movement in DC and Maryland comes together to celebrate outstanding leadership, recognize our hard work, and have a great time. This year's event is coming up — and now is your chance to be part of it! Registration is now open for Evening with Labor 2024. Join labor allies from across the region on Friday, April 12 from 6-10 PM in Greenbelt, MD for this year's annual event. Get your tickets and become a sponsor today of Evening with Labor 2024. Evening with Labor is always a highlight of our year, and it's made possible by our sponsors. Sponsorships make this event possible and support our work all year long. This year we are pleased to offer a variety of new sponsorship levels. This year's opportunities include options for exclusive seating, ways to prominently showcase your union on event materials and from the main stage, complimentary drink tickets for all your attendees, and more. All sponsorships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The centerpiece of the evening is the Evening with Labor Awards. These awards celebrate individuals and organizations who have shown outstanding leadership in the last year, and nominations for this year's awards are open until March 8. Nominate a leader for one of this year's Awards. Evening with Labor 2024 promises to be a fantastic celebration with dinner, drinks, and dancing, as well as a great chance to connect with labor leaders from across the region. Get your tickets or become a sponsor today and we'll look forward to celebrating with you on April 12.
In solidarity, The Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO team Happy Valentine's Day! From union-made chocolates to sweet wages and working conditions, there's no better way to turn love into action than fighting for a union. Learn about ways to get involved with the DC and Maryland labor movement with the upcoming events and opportunities below. And read to the bottom of this email to see some of our favorite Valentine messages from union allies today. Calling all DC union members! The next meeting of the DC Committee on Political Education (COPE) is coming up next Thursday, February 22, from 3:00-5:00 PM on Zoom. Register now for the DC COPE meeting: At this meeting, COPE Co-Chairs Herb Harris and Chuck Clay will lead an overview of the FY 2025 budget and its impacts; track legislation moving in DC Council, review the 2024 candidate questionnaire and plan for interviews, hear a report from affiliate unions, and share an upcoming action calendar. COPE meetings are open to all union members of Metro Washington Council's Affiliate unions. Interested in having your union members join COPE meetings? Apply to become an Affiliate of the Council. Recent NewsWorkers at Aslin Beer Company begin DC area's first brewery/taproom unionization effort
AFSCME members hit the halls of Annapolis
Apprenticeships + FellowshipsBuilding Futures Pre-Apprenticeship
LCLAA's Trabajadoras Fellowship
Hiring Hall: Union jobs in the DC regionAFL-CIO: National Press Secretary and Political Media Strategist AFL-CIO: Senior Safety and Health Specialist AFL-CIO: Regional Administrative Specialist AFL-CIO: Data Assistant (3 positions) AFL-CIO: Safety and Health Fellow AFL-CIO Technology Institute: Events and Communications Coordinator AFL-CIO Working for America Institute: Project Manager AFGE: Customer Service Representative AFSCME: Political Action Representative I AFSCME: Senior Labor Bargaining Advocate AFSCME: Network Analyst I (2 Positions) American Federation of Teachers: National Representative I-IV Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO: Executive Director Climate Jobs National Resource Center: Legal Director Climate Jobs National Resource Center: Wisconsin Lead Organizer Communications Workers of America: Senior Campaign Lead International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Capital Markets Analyst Jobs With Justice: Research Analyst or Researcher New Brookwood Labor College: Paid 1-Year Labor Fellowships National Nurses United: Legislative Advocate SEIU CIR: New Organizer SEIU CIR: Lead New Organizer SEIU CIR: Negotiations and Grievance Coordinator SEIU Local 32BJ: Lead Organizer SEIU Local 32BJ: Organizer SEIU Local 32BJ: Grievance Representative SMART: International Instructor Solidarity Center: Senior Award Specialist Solidarity Center: Program Officer II United Association National Pension Fund: Mail and Documentation Service Supervisor UFCW: Executive Secretary Around the RegionHappy Valentine's Day from the United Steel Workers, the Communications Workers of America, the Writers Guild of America East, Teamsters, and everyone at Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO. 💘
Earlier today, the staff of FRESHFARM farmers markets voted in favor of ratifying their first union contract, making them the first farmers market workers in the country to secure a collective bargaining agreement. “We came together as a collective to improve our working conditions and create good jobs at FRESHFARM,” said Yuval Lev, who has been a FRESHFARM market operator for three years and served on the union’s bargaining committee. “We’re proud to codify these hard-fought gains in this historic contract and continue doing the work we love to serve the community." The farmers market operators unionized last year with UFCW Local 400 and negotiations on the first contract began shortly after. The three-year contract covers approximately 25 employees responsible for staffing and operating nearly 30 local farmers markets in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Read more » Take Action
Upcoming EventsDo you know an outstanding individual or organization in the labor movement who went above and beyond last year? Nominations are now open for the 2024 Evening with Labor Awards! Nominate someone for this year's awards:
Around the RegionTop left: UFCW Local 400 joined Progressive MD on Saturday for a Power Summit featuring legislative speakers and a direct action to pass bills that will benefit Maryland's working families. Top right: The Washington Teachers' Union bargaining committee met with DC Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie to discuss the status of contract negotiations with DCPS. Bottom left: AFSCME Maryland Legislative Director Denise Gilmore joined the Policy Lowdown podcast to discuss how we rely on strong public services in all aspects of our lives and why it's so important to fund them. Bottom right: Aramark Premium workers at Capital One Arena with UNITE HERE Local 23 did a delegation to enforce their rights and win anniversary pay for themselves and all their coworkers! ✊ 🎉
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