DC-area union leaders oppose cuts proposed in Mayor Bowser’s FY26 budget

Mayor Bowser’s proposed DC budget for Fiscal Year 2026 includes a number of potential cuts to programs and services that are made possible by union workers and provide critical support for DC’s working families.

Union members from across the region along with advocacy groups will rally this morning at 8:30 AM at the Wilson Building to oppose the cuts. Ahead of this morning's event, DC-area union leaders issue the following statements:

“Balancing DC's budget on the backs of workers and working families is not the path forward," said Sam Epps, President of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO. “Good union jobs are what make life possible and stable for families all over our region. As our entire region faces a difficult road, we cannot undermine the union jobs that keep so much of DC communities running.”

"Whether it be bus priority, DC Streetcar, paid family leave, or so much more, this budget needs to do more for transit workers and working families across the city,” said Raymond Jackson, President of ATU Local 689. “We move this city and now need a budget that moves us."

“The Mayor's budget is full of things that shouldn't be there at all, like cutting restaurant workers' wages by repealing Initiative 82, giving away $1 billion to a new football stadium without a commitment to union construction jobs or high quality hospitality jobs, and cuts to transit and Paid Family Leave,” said Benjy Cannon of UNITE HERE Local 25.

“This budget further undermines the independence of other District agencies that are not under the mayor’s authority,” said Wayne L. Enoch, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 20. “Subtitle E gives the mayor the authority to undermine those agencies’ ability to create policies that address their functioning. Instead, the mayor will unilaterally impose her policy. She further strips the unions’ ability to negotiate contract language for telework. And other issues of concern include the OEA Attorney Fee award limits and Retroactive Pay restriction. This is an attempt to allow the District to terminate employees and not be accountable when the termination was done inappropriately.”

Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO President Sam Epps will speak on worker issues at this morning's rally, alongside advocates for healthcare, immigration, and more.

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The Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO brings together union locals in Washington, DC and five counties in Maryland to advocate, educate, and organize to improve the lives of all working people in our region. Our 150+ Affiliate unions represent more than 150,000 working people in Washington, DC and Maryland’s Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's counties. Our Affiliate unions represent workers in every industry including accountants, educators, athletes, public sector workers, actors, electricians, plumbers, commercial office cleaners, transit operators, postal workers, and many more. Learn more at dclabor.org.