Maryland Congressman is denied access to his constituent, Kilmar Abrego Garcia
This is the May 28, 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.
Maryland Congressman Glenn Ivey traveled to El Salvador this week to check on the wellness of his constituent and SMART 100 member Kilmar Abrego Garcia. However, when the congressman arrived, prison officials denied him access to Garcia. "Kilmar deserves due process and his rightful day in court," Ivey said on social media. "We need to bring him home." Read more »
NIOSH workers lobby and rally for agency protection
Photo by AFL-CIO
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) workers represented by AFGE rallied last week to fight back against the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the essential agency. Workers spoke out against disruptions to programs like toxicology research, chemical hazard risk assessment, and surveillance of high-risk industries. Read more »
CVS workers win higher wages in new union contracts
Photo by Start A Union
Over 400 CVS workers across DC, Maryland, and Virginia recently won record wage increases in their new union contracts with UFCW Local 400. They’ll earn between 9-15% more over the course of their four-year contract. Workers "stood together in solidarity and won," said UFCW Local 400 President Mark Federici. Read more »
Up to Date Laundry workers ratify new contract
Photo by Workers United MARJB
Congratulations to Workers United MARJB members at Up To Date Laundry (Local 1071) in Baltimore who recently ratified a new three-year contract! Workers at Local 1071 work hard every day to provide clean linens for hospitals. The new contract includes raises and improved benefits.
Learn about Maryland's new heat safety standards
Maryland workers can expect new heat safety standards this summer after Maryland became the first state in the region to adopt them. AFSCME Maryland wants you to know about the new standards before summer heat arrives. The standards apply when employees are exposed to a heat index of 80 degrees or higher either indoors or outdoors. Read more »
Upcoming Events + Actions
Federal worker phonebanking
Weekday evenings in May
AFL-CIO is calling on union members to join upcoming phonebanks in solidarity with AFGE and federal unions, to invite federal workers to join or rejoin their union. Sign up for a weekday in May.
Walk with labor in this year's Pride
Saturday June 7 @ 11:30 AM
We know that a strong labor movement cherishes diversity, promotes inclusion, and ensures safety and dignity for all workers. Being in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ siblings is an important part of how we achieve that and this year we'll show that solidarity in DC during WorldPride. Sign up to walk with IUPAT DC 51 and the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO on Saturday, June 7.
Around the Region
Photo by AFSCME Council 3
Photo by BAC Local 1
Left: Earlier this month, AFSCME Locals 44 and 558 hosted their Annual Nursing and Healthcare Workers Education In-Service! It was a great day where members came together to share their experience and learn new skills. Right: Congratulations to Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1 of MD, VA & D.C. member Jorge Guzman Cruz, for winning 1st place within the Marble Mason category at this year's IUBAC Northeast Regional Apprentice Contest!