DC Budget, Ward 8 candidates, and rally with ATU 689
This is the June 25, 2025 edition of our twice-weekly newsletter about labor movement news in the DC region. Sign up to get our newsletters delivered straight to your inbox.
Labor and advocates rally to protect wages, contracts, and programs for working families in DC budget
Last week Affiliate members of the Metropolitan Washington Council including 32BJ SEIU, AFGE District 14, AFSCME Council 20, Baltimore-DC Metro Building Trades Council, IBEW Local 26, UNITE HERE Local 23, and UNITE HERE Local 25 rallied at the Wilson Building alongside DC residents and advocates to protect wages, union contracts, and programs for working families in DC's FY26 budget.
"We call on the Council to reject the Mayor’s attempt to balance the budget on the backs of workers without making the wealthiest among us share this burden," said Sam Epps, President of the Metropolitan Washington Council. "If we must make sacrifice, it must be shared sacrifice, and right now that’s not what we have."
Tell DC Council: Invest in the DC Healthcare Alliance
The budget before the DC Council right now would dismantle the DC Healthcare Alliance, which provides critical health care coverage to residents with low incomes who do not qualify for Medicaid, most of whom are immigrants. Send an email to the DC Council telling them to reject Mayor Bowser’s proposed changes to the DC Healthcare Alliance.
Candidate interviews in DC's Ward 8 Special Election
Last week the Metropolitan Washington Council's DC Committee on Political Education (COPE) held interviews with the candidates for Ward 8's Special Election, which is coming up on July 15. Thank you to all the Affiliate members and Delegates who joined us for this important session.
Recent News
Moore tells state workers to prepare for hiring freeze, buyouts
Gov. Wes Moore told Maryland state employees in an email Tuesday that they should brace for a hiring freeze, voluntary buyouts, and reductions to the workforce to balance a state budget that has been heavily impacted by Trump administration spending cuts.“Our union has been in close communication with the Governor’s office and agency leaders and will continue to advocate for the resources state employees need to keep essential state services and our state government running,” said Patrick Moran, President of AFSCME Maryland Council 3.
Montgomery officials pressure Marriott over conference center labor agreement
Montgomery County officials are working to pressure the Marriott hotel chain into signing an agreement promising not to retaliate against workers at a county conference center if they choose to unionize — a step taken after the county neglected to include that provision in an operating agreement signed in March.Extreme heat tests Maryland’s new workplace regulations
What's the heat index where you work? As temperatures soar, Maryland employers are adjusting to the first workplace heat rules in the East. Access heat safety resources and more information about Maryland's heat safety standard at www.afscmemd.org/heat.Sign the Petition: Keep Kroger Stores Open!
Kroger recently announced plans to close four stores where UFCW Local 400 members work, along with dozens of others around the country.The union is collecting signatures on petitions to demand Kroger keep these stores open. Add your name »
Upcoming Events
TOMORROW: Rally + Picket: Stop WMATA from going off the rails!
Thursday June 26 @ 8:15 AM
WMATA Building at L'Enfant Plaza
Metro's plan to start phasing out station manager presence and their future goal of removing operators from cabs in trains will make the system more unsafe for riders and workers. That's why we will be at outside the June WMATA Board meeting. Join ATU Local 689 TOMORROW June 26 »
Join the picket line at Le Diplomate
Friday @ 5:00-7:30 PM
Saturday @ 11:00 AM-1:30 PM
When workers’ rights are under attack, what do we do? RISE UP! FIGHT BACK! Join UNITE HERE Local 25 at Le Diplomate on Friday and Saturday to let people know that the workers don’t have a union contact. Details for Friday's picket, details for Saturday's picket.
DC Labor Happy Hour w/ Gen Union
Friday June 27 @ 5:00-10:00 PM
Dew Drop Inn
Celebrate the end of Pride month with Gen Union for an evening of community building & fundraising for the Federal Worker Solidarity Fund. All workers are welcome. The labor movement thrives on solidarity, and we’d love for you to bring friends, family, and anyone passionate about workers’ rights. RSVP »
DC Paid Family Leave Training
July 15 — 7:00 PM on Zoom
DC's Paid Family Leave program provides up to 12 weeks of pay so workers can take time off to bond with a new child or care for a family member with a serious health condition. Private sector union members in DC as well as union staff are invited to join the Community Services Agency for this training on DC's Paid Family Leave program. Register »