Municipal workers win in Philly | Food service workers to rally at 4 PM
This is the July 9, 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.
District Council 33 members rallied yesterday. Photo by AFSCME District Council 33.
Members of AFSCME District Council 33, Philadelphia's largest municipal union, came to a tentative new contract agreement with the city on Wednesday, ending a labor strike that began at midnight last Tuesday. The union represents workers across multiple city departments. The new deal secures a total of 14% in raises for the union's members over three years. Read more »
Food service workers at the U.S. House of Representatives will rally today at 4 PM
The U.S. House of Representatives recently replaced long-time food service provider Sodexo with seven new subcontractors, some of whom have still not agreed to bring back the workers and honor their union contracts with UNITE HERE Local 23. Today at 4 PM, workers together with Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) will call on the new subcontractors to hire them back with full wages and benefits. Details »
Unions and advocates in solidarity for Kilmar Abrego Garcia
On Monday union leaders and immigration advocates rallied for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, ahead of a hearing at a federal court in Greenbelt. In March 2025, Garcia was living in Maryland when he was mistakenly deported. He was flown back to the U.S. in June, months after Judge Paula Xinis ordered his return and then charged by the U.S. Justice Department with human smuggling. Watch the rally »
Firefighters file unfair labor practice complaint
DC Firefighters, represented by IAFF Local 36, have filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the D.C. Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services alleging a sustained failure to negotiate in good faith over critical compensation issues. The complaint outlines nearly two years of delays and inaction following Local 36's request in June 2023 to begin bargaining for a next collective bargaining agreement. Read more »
Hotel housekeeping workers win back pay
Two cleaning companies will pay $290,000 to resolve allegations that they failed to pay 323 housekeepers working at hotels across the District overtime wages they had earned. The DC Office of the Attorney General learned of wage and hour issues at the companies via a tip from UNITE HERE Local 25 and subsequently uncovered evidence that hundreds of employees were not paid legally required overtime wages when they worked more than 40 hours in a workweek. Read more »
Supreme Court clears way for Trump to downsize the federal workforce
The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for President Trump’s plans to downsize the federal workforce despite warnings that critical government services will be lost and hundreds of thousands of workers will be out of their jobs. "This executive action promises mass employee terminations, widespread cancellation of federal programs and services, and the dismantling of much of the Federal Government as Congress has created it,” Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote. Read more »
Actions & Events
Training on DC's Paid Family Leave program with the Community Services Agency
July 15 @ 7 PM on Zoom
DC's Paid Family Leave program provides up to 12 weeks of paid time off for any worker to care for a new baby or family member. Learn about this program at a virtual training with the Community Services Agency on Register to attend »
Ward 8 Special Election
Voting is underway in DC's Special Election for Ward 8 Councilmember, and Election Day is this Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
The Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO has endorsed Salim Adofo in this election. Ward 8 residents, be sure to vote before Tuesday! Check your voter registration status to start, and then cast your ballot in one of the following ways:
Vote by Dropbox or Mail: To vote by dropbox or mail, check your mailbox for a mailed ballot. Follow the instructions included with the ballot, and return via U.S. Postal Service or a DC Board of Elections dropbox.
Vote Early: Early Voting begins in-person on Friday, July 11. See Early Voting locations.
Vote on Election Day: The last day to vote is Tuesday, July 15. See all Election Day voting locations.