Metro Council Meeting Highlights

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Two healthcare activists, a sheriff and a sportsman kicked off Monday’s Metro Washington Council meetings. Vinnie DeMarco of the Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition and Katie Gjertson (r, with Metro Washington Council President Jos Williams) of the AFL-CIO’s Turn Around America Health Care Reform Campaign reported on local and national efforts to win health care reform - including a major mobilization on June 25 - while “labor-endorsed and labor-friendly” Prince George’s County Sheriff Michael Jackson stopped by to provide an update on efforts to combat domestic violence and support a food basket program for the needy. Greg Singleton, Regional Coordinator for the Union Sportsmen's Alliance, announced the June 18 first annual Union Sportsman's Alliance Sporting Clays Shoot. Streetheat Coordinator Chris Garlock reminded the Board and delegates of Tuesday’s reception for the Employee Free Choice Act at the AFL-CIO, Jobs with Justice DC’s Mackenzie Baris reported on the June 11 annual "I'll Be There" Awards, this year honoring Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, the Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association, workers at the Gaylord and Sheraton Crystal City hotels, and Vanessa Dixon of CIR/Doctor’s Council, and Labor Heritage Foundation's Darryl Moch (below) reported on the upcoming Great Labor Arts Exchange, Conference on Creative Organizing and Camp Solidarity. In other actions, the Council accepted the Baltimore CLC’s friendly challenge for the CLC of the losing team of the Orioles-National game at the upcoming Union Night at Camden Yards to serve pizza to the winning Council’s Executive Board. In related news, the Community Services Agency’s Kathleen McKirchy reported that tickets are now available for the July Labor Night At The Nats game benefiting the Community Services Agency. COPE reports included the latest chapter in the ongoing battle with DC Mayor Adrian Fenty over the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB), the Nancy Navarro primary win in District 4, MD State Assembly debriefing, Prince George's and Tri-County COPE updates. The Council endorsed the People's Property Campaign against the transfer of public property to the private sector. Complete draft minutes will be posted soon on the Council’s website. The June Delegate meeting - the last one before the summer break - will be held Monday, June 15.
- photos by Adam Wright