Nats Facility Workers Vote in Union

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Facilities workers at Nationals Park voted in Local 99 of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) on Friday. The election was the culmination of a months-long campaign to organize the more than 20 skilled workers at the home of the Washington Nationals. “In the final weeks leading up to the election, the Nationals ran an intense vote ‘No’ campaign that included almost daily meetings with excessive warnings about strikes,” reports Local 99 organizer Eamon Clifford. Local 99 countered with a letter of support from the Major League Baseball Players Association, signed by president Tony Clark, urging the unit members to stay strong.  "I am exceedingly proud of these brave workers and happy to welcome them to our union," said Michael Murphy, Local 99's Business Manager.  Local 99 represents approximately 3,600 skilled maintenance workers throughout the DC area.