Union busting at The Duck & The Peach
This is the February 23, 2026 edition of our weekly newsletter about labor movement news in the DC region. Sign up to get our newsletters delivered straight to your inbox.
Recent News
The Duck & the Peach employees allege union activity was a factor in recent firings
Workers at DC restaurant The Duck & The Peach are organizing with UNITE HERE Local 25, and they allege union involvement was a factor in two recent firings. Both fired workers have attended pickets outside the restaurant and joined efforts pushing the restaurant's ownership group to agree to a fair unionization process. "I definitely felt targeted," said Alice Rubino, one of the fired workers. “The reality of the matter is that the first time they’ve seemingly enforced this rule, it coincidentally ended up with two pro-union leaders being fired.” Read more »
Remembering Reverend Graylan Hagler and Reverend Jesse Jackson
Rev. Graylan Hagler
Rev. Jesse Jackson visiting AFGE
The labor movement lost two tremendous leaders last week. Revered Graylan Hagler was an unwavering champion for social and economic justice, immigrant rights, and their many connected struggles, particularly here in the DC region. Reverend Jesse Jackson was a towering moral force whose lifelong commitment to justice reshaped both the labor and civil rights movements and left a lasting mark on the nation. Our condolences are with their families and the movements they led. May they rest in power.
Montgomery County passes the Trust Act, curbing local cooperation with immigration enforcement
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed a bill into law on Friday severely curbing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
"Thanks to Maryland’s Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-Gonzalez and County Executive Marc Elrich for leading and signing the Trust Act into law!" said 32BJ SEIU on social media. "Immigrant workers will now be unafraid to report crimes like labor abuses which can lower labor standards for all workers across industries." Read more »
UMD union members rally in Annapolis for better pay, binding arbitration
Union members from universities across the state rallied on Monday at the Maryland State House, lobbying for binding arbitration and competitive pay to keep pace with rising inflation. “Without binding arbitration, management just gets to essentially wait us out,” said Todd Holden, president of AFSCME’s Local 1072. Read more »
U.S. unionization rate reaches 16-year high
New data released last week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows union representation grew by 463,000 in 2025, bringing the total number of workers represented by union contracts to 16.5 million. Thanks to years of sustained organizing, 11.2% of all wage and salary workers in the United States are now covered under union contracts, up from 2024 and the highest in 16 years. Read more »
We’re hiring!
Looking for an opportunity to work on uniting the entire labor movement of the DC region? The Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO is hiring for two positions: an Administrative Assistant and a Communications Manager. See details about both positions and apply.
Upcoming Events
Trainings with AFL-CIO
Various dates
AFL-CIO international is hosting a number of trainings for union organizers and staff, including New Messaging for Volunteer Recruitment, Union Peacekeeper & Observer Training, Recruiting Local Union Coordinators, and more. See the full training series »
CSA and Fair Budget Coalition to deliver budget platform
March 10 | 8:45 AM-1:30 PM
On March 10, join the Community Services Agency, a member of DC's Fair Budget Coalition (FBC), to deliver FBC's Budget Platform to DC Council. Fair Budget Coalition advocates for budget and public policy initiatives that address systemic social, racial and economic inequality in the District of Columbia. Register »
Until All of Us Are Free: JUFJ Labor Seder and Social Justice Seder
Sunday March 22 2026 | 3:30 PM
Temple Sinai, (3100 Military Rd NW, DC)
Each spring, the Jews United for Justice community comes together to retell the story of Passover and take action on issues in our region. The Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO will join JUFJ for this year's Labor Seder. Get tickets »
Metro DC CLUW Women's Labor Summit
March 28, 2026 | 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
IBEW Headquarters (900 7th St. NW)
Come celebrate 50 years of Metro DC CLUW and uplift the women and femmes of the DC area labor movement at our upcoming Women’s Labor Summit. More details and register »
Union Night @ Washington Spirit
Friday April 24 at 8 PM
Ticket Sales are now live! Join CSA for Labor Night @ Washington Spirit. Tickets are $36 and $5 goes back to CSA’s Emergency Assistance Fund. Consider purchasing tickets for your members or inviting members to purchase tickets on their own. Purchase individual tickets here. For orders of 10 tickets or more, email Antonio Silva.
Evening with Labor 2026
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Save the date! Evening with Labor 2026 will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. This event is always a highlight of our year and we look forward to celebrating together. Ticketing and sponsorship details to come.
Around the Region
Left: OTG workers at National Airport with UNITE HERE Local 23 are rising up for respect, fair scheduling, wage increases, rights on the job, and a fair contract! DC Councilmember Robert White joined them on the picket line. Right: 32BJ SEIU was in attendance as Montgomery County Executive Marc Erlich signed the Trust Act into law last week.