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! ✊ 🎉
Black workers have always been a crucial part of the fight for justice in the labor movement. From organizing the meatpacking industry to the Pullman strike to striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Black history is America’s history — and it’s America’s labor history, too. This month, AFL-CIO is celebrating great labor leaders like A. Philip Randolph, Hattie Canty, Bayard Rustin, Arlene Holt Baker and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who won historic victories for Black working people. The Civil, Human and Women’s Rights Department has put together a list of recommended reads for the month, and they've made it easy support Black authors and to buy union-made too. See the full list with links to buy from union booksellers » UMD Graduate Labor Union rallies in Annapolis
AFGE backs new legislation to increase pay for federal employees
Apprenticeships + FellowshipsLCLAA's Trabajadoras Fellowship
Hiring Hall: Union jobs in the DC regionAFL-CIO: Data Assistant (3 positions) AFL-CIO: Safety and Health Fellow AFL-CIO: Associate General Counsel AFL-CIO: Strategic Researchers and Organizers AFGE: Customer Service Representative AFSCME: Network Analyst I (2 Positions) Amalgamated Transit Union: Accounting Assistant American Federation of Teachers: National Representative I-IV Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund: Policy Counsel/Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Counsel/Analyst Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund: Managing Director of Policy American Federation of Teachers: National Representative I-IV American Postal Workers Union: Legislative Project Specialist International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Capital Markets Analyst International Union of Painters and Allied Trades: Research Coordinator Jobs With Justice: Development Coordinator League of Conservation Voters: Government Affairs Advocate, Conservation Maryland State Education Association: UniServ Director, Eastern Shore National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians: Staff Representative National Education Association: Chief Financial Officer National Nurses United: Greater DC Area Labor Representative National Nurses United: Legislative Advocate National Nurses United: Political Organizer SEIU CIR: New Organizer SEIU CIR: Lead New Organizer SEIU Local 32BJ: Lead Organizer SEIU Local 32BJ: Organizer SEIU Local 32BJ: Grievance Representative Strategic Organizing Center: Digital Associate Solidarity Center: Program Officer II Solidarity Center: Campaign and Media Communications Officer UFCW: Executive Secretary, National Bargaining Department Virginia Education Association: Racial and Social Justice Grant Coordinator Evening with Labor 2024Do 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:
Workers at José Andrés’ latest D.C. restaurant, The Bazaar, won union recognition Friday from the chef’s restaurant group. The workers will join UNITE HERE Local 25, a union known for representing local hotel workers. The Bazaar is located inside the Waldorf Astoria hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, where Local 25 already represents the other workers of the hotel. "I am thrilled that management recognized our union and so excited about what’s to come," Bazaar busser Evelyn Perez said in a statement. "This sends a message not just to my co-workers, but restaurant workers across the D.C. area that we all deserve the dignity, respect, and stable careers that come with a union." Read more » Fairfax Connector union calls on Fairfax County Supervisor to support workers during contract talksOn January 31, ATU Local 689, the union representing Fairfax Connector workers, held a rally and picketed outside the Fairfax County offices calling on Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKaystand with workers during the union's protracted contract talks with Transdev. “It is beyond frustrating and disappointing that Chair McKay has not expressed any public support for our members during the contract negotiations, nor has he taken any to help the two sides reach a deal on a new contract," said Local 689 President Raymond Jackson. Read more » Take Action
Upcoming Events
Evening with Labor 2024Do 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:
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