Sep 13, 2012SEIU Staffers Rally for Contract
SEIU staffers staged a lunchtime picket at the union's Dupont Circle headquarters Wednesday to demand a fair contract...
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Sep 12, 2012Unite Here 23 Cafeteria Workers Win New Contract
Over the course of the last week, one hundred and twenty Unite Here Local 23 members in six cafeterias operated by IL Creations unanimously ratified their new collective bargaining agreement...
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Sep 12, 2012Labor Photo: IUEC 10 Picnic
Elevator Constructors Local 10 members and their families enjoyed barbecue and perfect weather at IUEC 10's Picnic last Saturday...
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Sep 11, 2012DC Teachers Support Striking Chicago Teachers
Saying that "It's essential for teachers across the country to join together in solidarity to ensure that teachers—who spend every day educating our students—are valued and respected," WTU Local 6 President Nathan Saunders came out strongly in support of striking Chicago teachers yesterday...
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Sep 11, 2012IBEW 1900 Talks Continue at Pepco
Pepco workers who jumped into action to restore power for area residents after Saturday's storm continue to face tough negotiations...
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Sep 11, 2012PG Job Training Applications Posted Online
Applications have been posted online for free training for jobs in the hospitality industry for Prince George's County residents aged 18-24...
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Sep 10, 2012St Mary's College Workers OK New Pact
An immediate $1,000 pay raise was the highlight of a new contract unanimously ratified Friday by 84 workers at St. Mary's College of Maryland...
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Sep 10, 2012Labor Quiz: What's a Siderographer?
The siderographer's union was formed in 1899; siderographers were: a type of telegrapher, hot-type typesetters, or printing plate engravers?
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Sep 7, 2012THIS JUST IN: Live from the DNC
"We're fully engaged and ready to go," reported Metro Council President Jos Williams from the floor of the Democratic National Convention yesterday...
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Sep 7, 2012CSA Golf Tourney Benefits Those in Need
Golfers from AFGE, ATU 689, UFCW 400 and other area unions and supporters like Ashcraft & Gerel, Kaiser and United Healthcare on Monday, September 24 at the Community Services Agency’s annual Golf Tournament...
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Sep 7, 2012Labor Cranks Up Walks & Voter Registration Efforts
With turnout the key to victory in this year's elections, unions and their allies are cranking up labor walks and voter registration efforts across the metro area...
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Sep 6, 2012Sharing Union City
Now you can easily share Union City stories using your favorite social media networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, My Space and dozens more. Look for the "sharethis" link at the top of each archived news article on the Metro Washington Council's website and simply click on the icon that...
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Sep 6, 2012DC Bill Would Protect Injured Government Workers
Members of a Fort Totten trash collection crew hospitalized recently due to exposure to toxic vapors while on the job may face major hurdles when they try to get the workers’ compensation and health care benefits they need to recover. “We have advised hundreds of injured workers...
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Sep 6, 2012Free Hospitality Industry Job Training Available for Young PG County Workers
Prince George’s County residents aged 18-24 can get free training for jobs in the hospitality industry, thanks to a grant from the Greater Washington Workforce Development Collaborative of the Community Foundation to the Community Services Agency, The Training Source, and Prince George’s...
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Sep 5, 2012Mendelson & Ervin Take Stand for Displaced Service Workers Bill
D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) and Montgomery County Council member Valerie Ervin (D-District 5) teamed up in Sunday’s Washington Post to urge support for the Displaced Service Workers bill, coming up for a vote September 18 at the Montgomery County Council. Noting...
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Sep 5, 2012Support Your Local Labor FilmFest
It’s not too late to support this year’s DC Labor FilmFest; the deadline for ads in the FilmFest program guide has been extended through this Friday, September 7. Click here for the 2012 ratesheet for FilmFest sponsor ads and email cgarlock@dclaborarchives.org to reserve space....
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Sep 5, 2012CSA's News You Can Use: Helping Hurricane Isaac's Victims
Although much less dramatic than Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Isaac has also created a huge amount of physical devastation, report CSA’s colleagues on the Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast United Ways have launched a regional website to raise funds for immediate relief and long term recovery and...
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Sep 4, 2012Union Voice, Readers Write: Labor Day Edition Kudos; Updated/New Events
Labor Day Edition Kudos: “Great edition,” writes AFSCME 2910's Saul Schniderman (8/31 Labor Day Edition). “Thanks for airing the Maguire controversy!” Adds UNITE HERE Local 25 Executive Secretary-Treasurer John A. Boardman “This is a great Labor Day edition. Nice work....
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Sep 4, 2012Labor's Voices on the Air
Voices of labor were heard yesterday on WPFW (89.3 FM), as the Metro Washington Council’s Jos Williams, Susan Storer Clark of the DC Labor Chorus, AFGE 12 Executive Vice President Eleanor Lauderdale and Darryl Moch of the Labor Heritage Foundation shared stories about Labor Day,...
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Sep 4, 2012Bill Fletcher on "21 Myths about Unions"
"It is far from uncommon to come across very intelligent people who have no idea what a union is,” Bill Fletcher Jr. says. “For those of us active in the labor movement this is frequently difficult to believe, but it is true. I flew next to a woman in her 30s who had absolutely no idea...
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Aug 31, 2012Central Labor Union's Role in Creating Labor Day
It’s well-known that Labor Day was created by the American labor movement to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers. Less known is the key role of a Central Labor Union in founding the national holiday. While some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general...
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Aug 24, 2012Union Summer Students Learn to Make Change
With Labor Day around the corner, dozens of Union Summer students across the country are reflecting on a summer spent in the field building worker power...
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Aug 23, 2012Federal Workers Slam Pay Freeze Extension
Despite acknowledging that "civilian federal employees have already made significant sacrifices as a result of a two-year pay freeze," Obama announced that he is extending the pay freeze...
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Aug 23, 2012"Howard Four" Campaign Heats Up
Supporters of the "Howard Four" are stepping up their campaign against the recent firing of four workers at Howard University's WHUT-TV...
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Aug 22, 2012Thank a Worker Today
From Metro workers to supermarket clerks, cops on the corner and the janitors who clean our offices, workers make the world run...
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Aug 22, 2012Labor Quiz: Letter Carriers Founding
The National Association of Letter Carriers was formed in 1889. Where did the 60 letter carriers from 18 states gather to form the union?
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Aug 21, 2012WTU Welcomes New DCPS Teachers
With students across the nation's capital getting ready to head back to school, WTU released a new video highlighting the work local educators do and the importance of the local union
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Aug 21, 2012From the Picket Line to Online
With over 1,500 followers on @DClabor on Twitter, the Metro Council shares updates from the front lines on pickets and protests, local negotiations, and political action in the DC metro area...
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Aug 21, 2012Partnering for Job Readiness Training
"No one should have to pay to go to school," said Deborah Grinder. "Too many grants and scholarships are wasted because people don't know about them."
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Aug 20, 2012Future of the Labor Movement Gathers in DC
Members of the DC Young Trade Unionists and NoVa YELL didn't have to travel far to meet young labor leaders from across the country this weekend as the AFL-CIO held its first Young Worker Leadership Institute...
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Aug 20, 2012Travel in Solidarity
"Happy Labor Day travel!" says Union Plus, which reminds us that "Hard-working union members help us enjoy travel every day..."
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Aug 17, 2012This Just In: Paul Ryan in VA
Controversial GOP VP candidate Paul Ryan will be in Ballston today for a 5:30p fundraiser at the Westin in Arlington...
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Aug 16, 2012Summertime Solidarity for Unite Here Local 23
“The fight for sustainable food is the fight for sustainable jobs, and we need to organize ourselves” said a cafeteria worker at Georgetown Law school to a room full of workers, students and food justice advocates.
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Aug 15, 2012WHUT-TV Workers Battle Union-Busting at Howard
Barely a week after WHUT-TV workers rejected management's contract and authorized a strike in early July, WHUT-TV fired four of its six union-represented technicians...
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Aug 14, 2012Best Local Website
AFGE named AFGE Local 476 the winner of their nationwide 2012 Communications Contest for Best Local Website...
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Aug 14, 2012DOL Secretary Commends Local Apprenticeship Programs
Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the National Apprenticeship Act, Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis recognized local leaders in apprenticeship programs...
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Aug 13, 2012Building the Next Generation of UFCW 400 Leadership
"While most young adults soaked up the summer sun, two Local 400 members were in Amherst, Mass. attending the UALE Northeast Summer School for Union Women" reports UFCW Local 400...
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Aug 13, 2012Labor Quiz: A. Philip Randolph
Early in his career, labor and civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph organized a union of what kind of workers in New York City?
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Aug 10, 2012Verizon Strike Anniversary Marked
To show that telecom giant Verizon is still "turning their back" a year after its workers struck, CWA Local 2108 members and allies...
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Aug 10, 2012'Labor Night at the Nats' a Home Run for CSA
With 5,000 tickets sold, last Friday's Labor Night at the Nats netted nearly $5,000 for the Community Services Agency’s Emergency Assistance Fund...
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Aug 9, 2012Volunteers Needed to Dine Out for Justice
Want a side of sniffles with that meal? The Paid Sick Days for All campaign is using Restaurant Week to generate support for restaurant workers who don’t get paid sick days...
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Aug 9, 2012Readers Write: When is a Wobblie a Wobbly?
"Check your spelling on Wobblie," wrote Saul Schniderman (AFSCME 2910, Library of Congress Professional Guild), responding to an item in Tuesday's "Today's Labor History"...
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Aug 9, 2012"IN Charge" Puts Spotlight on Local's Service
IBEW Local 26's 2012 Motorcycle Riders' Club Poker Run raised over $8,000 for the Special Love for Children with Cancer charity earlier this year...
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Aug 7, 2012Workers to Rally Around "Second Bill of Rights"
Seats are still available on the AFL-CIO's free bus from DC to the "Workers Stand for America" Rally in Philadelphia, where thousands are expected...
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Aug 6, 2012Labor in the News: Members of IATSE 22 Put on a Show
Accustomed to being behind the scenes, the members of IATSE Local 22 were in the spotlight last week with a "Washington Post" article on the work that goes into a Verizon Center concert...
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Aug 6, 2012Coming Up This Week
This week is full of local action. Here are a few highlights; check the labor calendar for the latest upcoming events...
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Aug 6, 2012Labor Quiz: Cesar's Military Service
Before embarking on his inspiring career as a farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist, Cesar Chavez served two years in which branch of the U.S. military?
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Aug 6, 2012'Labor Night at the Nats' is a Hit
Thousands of union members headed to the ball park Saturday with friends and family for the first double-header Labor Night at the Nats...
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Aug 3, 2012AFL-CIO: Federal Employees Already Have Given Enough
All efforts to privatize, outsource, reduce, undermine, politicize, underpay or undervalue the work performed on behalf of working families by our federal workforce should be vigorously opposed...
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Aug 3, 2012DC Labor FilmFest Reaches Out
The expanding global network of labor film festivals was the topic of a panel in late July at the 19th annual LaborFest in San Francisco, CA...
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Aug 3, 2012Cooking Out the Union Way
From hotdogs and sausages to condiments, chips, and even ice cream, the AFL-CIO's handy new downloadable "Made In America" cookout shopping list has everything you need to celebrate the summer while supporting union workers...
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Aug 1, 2012IATSE Retiree Completes Camino de Santiago Walk
"When I finally took my first step on the actual Camino, on April 19th, in St Jean Pieds de Port, I abandoned all notions of self, determined to press on with an open mind..."
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Jul 31, 2012Civista Nurses Ratify New Contract
Last week nurses at Civista Medical Center in Maryland -- represented by 1199SEIU -- unanimously voted to ratify a new three-year contract...
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Jul 31, 2012Transit Union Leader Seeks to Inspire Young Workers
Urging young people to reach higher and pursue their goals, Jackie Jeter, President of ATU Local 689, recently challenged students in the Covenant House job readiness program to "always try for something better"...
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Jul 31, 2012"Collective Bargains" from UnionPlus
The UnionPlus website is packed with discounts and money-saving information for union members and their families...
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Jul 31, 2012Summertime Training for Union Women
Registration is still open for union women looking to strengthen their knowledge and build their skills at this summer's Southern School for Union Women...
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Jul 30, 2012Laurel Walmart Makes Workers Pay for Storm Damage
The Respect DC Coalition is reporting "a serious situation… developing at the Walmart in Laurel, MD," where workers have long been organizing for workplace respect through OUR Walmart...
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Jul 27, 2012"Abusive" Hyatt Hotels Target of Global Boycott
Travelers worldwide are being urged to avoid Hyatt hotels as Hyatt workers and their supporters launched a global "Hyatt Hurts" boycott of the hotel chain...
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Jul 26, 2012CVS Pharmacists Ratify New Agreement
Over 500 pharmacists at CVS in DC and Maryland, represented by UFCW Local 400, voted in favor of a new two-and-a-half year contract earlier this month...
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Jul 25, 2012Local #5 Employee Wins Top Women's Award at Shoot
Iron Worker Local 5's Office Manager Marlene Forsyth won the Lady's Individual High Shooter award at the AFL-CIO's Fourth Annual Capital Area Sporting Clays Shoot...
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Jul 24, 2012"We Want MORE!" Say Union City Readers
Union City continues to be a valued daily resource for its 30,000 area readers, according to our most recent Reader Survey...
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Jul 24, 2012Nurses Join AIDS March to "Heal America"
"Nurses heal America, that's why we're here today," said RN Sandra Falwell, holding one end of a banner proclaiming "Nurses Say a Robin Hood Tax Can End HIV/AIDS"
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Jul 23, 2012CWA & IBEW Ask for Mediation in Verizon Contract Talks
Unable to negotiate an agreement for over a year, CWA and the IBEW have asked the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to step in to help with negotiations with Verizon Communications...
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Jul 23, 2012Labor on the Move: DCNA's King Appointed to Policy Board
DC Mayor Vincent Gray on July 2 appointed Brenda King, DCNA Legislative Liaison as the designee representative of the DCNA to the DC Health Information Exchange Policy Board...
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Jul 23, 2012IUEC 10 Member's Son a Top-10 Finisher at NatGeo Bee
Adam Rusak, a top-10 finisher in the recent 2012 National Geographic Bee, is the son of Elevator Constructors Local 10 member Andy Rusak, who works for Quality Elevator...
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Jul 23, 2012Labor Quiz: Pay Inequity
For every dollar men earn in America, how much do women workers make: 77 cents, 82 cents, or 89 cents?
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Jul 20, 2012SEIU 400 Scholarships Feed Student's Dreams
Twenty-four-year-old Korey Richardson, a custodian at Kettering Middle School in Prince George's County, hopes to own his own design studio some day...
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Jul 20, 2012CSA Maps Out Strategic Plans
A full-day retreat July 13 was the most recent step in the Community Services Agency's ongoing process to evaluate programs, board performance, funding diversity and planning for the future...
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Jul 19, 2012Parents Say School Librarians Not Expendable
With hand-drawn signs reading "Have a Cookie, Save a Librarian" and "Show Good Taste, Support Our Librarians," DC families gathered outside the Wilson Building last week to support school librarians...
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Jul 19, 2012Guild Protests Threat of Contract Impasse at APWU
Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild 32035 members turned out in force July 11 to protest American Postal Workers Union management's plan to declare an impasse in bargaining talks July 20...
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Jul 19, 2012Countdown to Opening Pitch
Friday is the final deadline to purchase tickets to Labor Night at the Nats on August 3. Thousands of union members and labor allies are planning to attend the annual event...
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Jul 18, 2012Ironworkers 5 Apprentices Get High Marks
Ironworkers Local 5 members brought home the gold and silver last month at the Ironworkers' Mid-Atlantic District Council’s Outstanding Apprenticeship Competition...
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Jul 18, 2012Verizon Disrespects Techs Who Repaired Storm Damage
Verizon technicians, members of CWA locals across Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, raced to restore service to the Mid-Atlantic region earlier this month after a series of fatal, power-cutting thunderstorms...
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Jul 17, 2012DC Security Officers Ratify New 4-Year Contract
Private security officers in Washington, D.C. have unanimously ratified a new four-year contract covering 1,700 officers who protect most commercial office buildings in the District...
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Jul 16, 2012Piedmont Agents Ratify First Contract
Fleet and passenger service agents at Piedmont Airlines, who voted to join CWA in November 2010, overwhelmingly ratified their first contract by a 94 percent vote, the union announced July 5...
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Jul 16, 2012Pepco Union Faults Short-Staffing for Long Outages
Short-staffing at Pepco is as much to blame for the recent power outages as Mother Nature, according to the union that represents over 1,000 Pepco workers...
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Jul 13, 2012"T-Mobile Girl" Says "Bring Jobs Home"
If T-Mobile customers in downtown Washington DC were surprised to see the leather-clad "T-Mobile Girl" roar up on a motorcycle outside the 11th and E Street store yesterday...
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Jul 13, 2012DC Residents Protest Discrimination by African American Museum Contractor
A coalition of black job seekers, community groups, faith leaders, and "mad-as-hell" District residents marched on the site of the future Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture to protest the treatment of black job seekers...
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Jul 13, 2012Beach Books for Tough Times
Drama, betrayal, the struggle to survive. This summer the AFL-CIO is taking beach reading to a whole new level with a Friday lunchtime series...
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Jul 12, 2012Activists, "T-Mobile Girl" say "Bring Jobs Home"
At today's noontime rally activists – along with their very own "T-Mobile Girl" – will speak out about T-Mobile closing call centers and offshoring jobs...
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Jul 12, 2012THIS JUST IN: Shoppers Workers Ratify Strong New Contract
Members of United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 working at Shoppers Food & Pharmacy on Thursday ratified a new, two-year collective bargaining agreement that raises their living standards, protects their health and retirement security, and is comparable to the contract recently...
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Jul 11, 2012DC Council Tables Woodson Nomination
The DC City Council voted 8-4 yesterday to table the nomination of Roderic L. Woodson to the DC Water Board of Directors...
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Jul 11, 2012Union Voice/Readers Write: Where's Hiring Hall?
"Is the DC jobs market so bad that you just don't have anything to post, or has 'Union City' just stopped publishing the Wednesday 'Union Hiring Hall' listing?"
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Jul 10, 2012Taxi Drivers Call for Protests Ahead of Council Vote
Hundreds of DC taxi drivers flooded the street across from the Wilson Building yesterday -- and say they’ll be back again today -- in anticipation of today’s scheduled vote on the "Taxicab Service Improvement Act of 2012"...
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Jul 10, 2012Edna Award Nominations Open
Young women leaders in the social justice movement are headed for the spotlight with the Berger-Marks Foundation accepting nominations for the 2012 Edna Award...
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Jul 9, 2012Activists Contact City Council in Countdown to Woodson Vote
Community and labor activists are moving fast to demand the DC City Council oppose the nomination of anti-union, anti-DC resident Rod Woodson to the WASA Board before tomorrow's anticipated vote...
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Jul 9, 2012VA Downgrades Stopped as Vets Speak Out
Just weeks after hundreds of VA employees took to the streets to demand an end to "unfounded and arbitrary downgrades" for low-wage employees at the Department of Veteran Affairs, the VA announced a decision to halt the downgrades
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Jul 6, 2012Labor on the Air
Tune in to "Union Edge" on WPWC 1480 AM this Sunday to hear interviews with both Metro Council President Jos Williams and IBEW Local 1900 President Jim Griffin...
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Jul 6, 2012BAC Apprentices Win Big in Vegas
Four BAC Local 1 apprentices swept the 2012 Western States Apprenticeship Contest last month in Las Vegas, NV...
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Jul 6, 2012MD COPE Report: Office Cleaners Stand Up for Job Security
Cleaning workers and other property service workers are speaking out in Montgomery County against the revolving door of employers who, under current law, are free to lay them off with no notice...
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Jul 5, 2012Local 1900 Works to Keep the Lights On in Storm Aftermath
With soaring temperatures and storm damage still weighing on residents, Pepco employees -- represented by IBEW Local 1900 -- are working around the clock to restore electrical power across the DC metro area
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Jul 3, 2012Union Members Respond to Weekend Storm
As local residents took cover from the storm that swept through Friday night, area union members were quick to jump into action all weekend...
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Jul 2, 2012Tune In
AFGE Local 12 Vice-President Eleanor Lauderdale will be on WPFW this morning at 9:30a to discuss the campaign to restore the Labor Hall of Fame...
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Jul 2, 2012Activists Look Back at 50 Years of Walmart
The Respect DC coalition "celebrated" the 50th anniversary of the first Walmart store last week with a 'Walmart at 50' panel shining light on how the corporate giant has treated workers at its stores and communities it enters...
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Jul 2, 2012A "Riveting" Union Summer
Cultural icon Rosie the Riveter is back and traveling the world this summer thanks to a playful UnionPlus project...
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Jul 2, 2012Labor Quiz: Henry Fonda's Migrant Role
The classic film starring Henry Fonda as a migrant worker is: On Golden Pond, Sometimes a Great Notion, The Grapes of Wrath...
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Jun 29, 2012USPS Hunger Strike Day 4: "Arrest the Postmaster!"
The 4-day hunger strike by postal service workers ended dramatically Thursday when over 100 demonstrators stormed the USPS headquarters demanding the arrest of Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe for slashing postal services and jobs...
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Jun 28, 2012USPS Hunger Strike, Day 3
Ten US Postal Service hunger strikers picketed the Washington Post Wednesday, demanding the paper "tell the truth" about the cuts and closures threatening the USPS...
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Jun 28, 2012"Full Speed Ahead" After Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Act
The chants of "We love Obamacare" in front of the U.S. Supreme Court erupted into wild cheers shortly after 10a Thursday morning as word spread like wildfire that the Court had upheld Obama's Health Care Act...
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Jun 27, 2012Labor Photo: USPS Hunger Strike, Day 2
Activists and allies marked Day Two of their 4-day, 10-person hunger strike to save the US Postal Service with a march to the U.S. Treasury wearing bandit masks...
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Jun 27, 2012Labor in the Schools
Ninth graders at the Chavez Public Charter High School for Public Policy in Washington, DC learned about the key role of labor unions in society when they visited ATU Local 689 recently...
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Jun 27, 2012THIS JUST IN
Healthcare supporters plan to rally in front of the Supreme Court beginning at 9:30a Thursday, when the Supreme Court releases their decision on the Health Care Act...
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Jun 27, 2012DC Verizon/Capital Grille Rally Video Posted
A 2-minute video capturing the energy of last week's downtown DC Verizon/Capital Grille rally marking the 1-year of CWA and IBEW fighting for a fair contract...
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Jun 26, 2012Shoppers Warehouse Retaliating Against Workers
UFCW Local 400 is urging area activists to call Shoppers Food Warehouse -- 1-855-746-7737 -- to demand that management stop retaliating against workers...
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Jun 26, 2012National Labor College Graduates the Class of 2012
Seventy-eight graduates representing 25 unions and Working America, the AFL-CIO's community affiliate, received Bachelor's Degrees last Saturday from the School of Labor Studies at the National Labor College...
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Jun 25, 2012American Rights at Work & Jobs with Justice to Merge
Saying that "by combining forces, we will broaden and deepen our reach and impact to achieve what we all care so deeply about," American Rights at Work and Jobs with Justice are merging...
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Jun 25, 2012"Save Our Post Office" Hunger Strike Launched
Ten postal service workers launched a 4-day hunger strike Monday morning at the U.S. Capitol, where they called on Congress to "Stop Starving the Postal Service"...
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Jun 22, 2012Labor Photo: DC Workers Get Furlough Pay
Metro Council Pres. Williams lauded City Council and Mayor for repaying city workers for four furlough days they were forced to take last year...
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Jun 22, 2012Walk Explores Hidden History of DC Labor
"At the banquet table of nature there are no reserved seats," read Richard Renner from the plaque on the bust of labor leader and civil rights activist A. Philip Randolph in Union Station...
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Jun 22, 2012Mock Funeral & Double Demos Mark Year Without Contract at Verizon
Dressed in black, wearing veils, carrying a flower-laden coffin and led by "Preacher" Carl Brogden, members of CWA Local 2108 led a funeral cortege outside Verizon's Silver Spring facility Friday morning...
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Jun 22, 2012Quick Takes
CWA & Allies Hold 3 Demos Today and Call to Restore Labor Hall of Fame Grows...
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Jun 21, 2012Local Activists Honored at DC JwJ Awards Tonight
Longtime labor activist Carrie Biggs-Adams joins fellow awardees Occupy DC, the Kalmanovitz Initiative For Labor And The Working Poor and Reverend Raymond Bell tonight at DC Jobs with Justice’s 10th Annual "I'll Be There" Awards...
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Jun 20, 2012How We Got Our Mailslots: Free Speech and Organizing at the Library of Congress
As unions battle with employers over communicating with members via email, Facebook and other instantaneous communications tools, a battle by union organizers at the Library of Congress over "desk drops" nearly 40 years ago is a fascinating lesson in how some things never change...
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Jun 20, 2012Nurses and Allies Demand "Robin Hood" Tax
In red scrubs and green Robin Hood hats, nurses took to the streets in 20 cities across the country yesterday to kick off a campaign for a "Robin Hood Tax.
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Jun 20, 2012Ann Hoffman Appointed to Public Employee Relations Board
NWU-DC Treasurer Ann Hoffman, who was recently re-elected first vice president of the National Writers Union, has been appointed to the District of Columbia Public Employee Relations Board...
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Jun 19, 2012DC City Workers Give High Marks to grade.DC.Gov
City workers want their agencies to serve the public better. That's why DC government unions participated in the launch of DC's new website grade.DC.Gov last week...
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Jun 19, 2012Paths to Success
Jaki Bradley was once a teenager heading down the wrong path. Deborah Grinder was young and homeless. Today...
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Jun 18, 2012Labor Photo: Colossal Cat
WBCTC put their brand-new Fat Cat to work last Friday targeting Prince George's County Public Schools where they say contractors have been cheating their employees of wages.
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Jun 18, 2012Labor Quiz: Cotton Dust's Disease
The disease contracted by exposure to cotton dust in inadequately ventilated working environments is called "Byssinosis," "brown lung," or "Monday fever"?
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Jun 15, 2012Labor Photo: Security Officers Flier Downtown Rush Hour
Security officers in DC, represented by SEIU 32BJ, welcomed rush hour crowds at the Farragut North Metro Station with a banner and cheery greetings of "Good morning! Support security!"
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Jun 15, 2012DC JwJ to Celebrate Local Activists
This year's DC Jobs with Justice (JwJ) "I'll Be There" Awards will celebrate four individuals and groups who have truly "been there" for DC JwJ in fights for justice across the District...
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Jun 15, 2012"Trash Dance" Screens at Silverdocs
Sometimes inspiration can be found in unexpected places. Choreographer Allison Orr finds beauty and grace in garbage trucks, and in the men and women who pick up our trash...
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Jun 14, 2012Vets Protest Downgrades at VHA
Veterans Administration workers, many of them vets themselves, rallied and marched Wednesday to protest the downgrading of the Veterans Health Administration's lowest-paid employees...
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Jun 14, 2012"Block the Deal" CWA Urges FCC
"Hey hey FCC, We don't want monopoly!" chanted hundreds of CWA members outside the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) building at noontime Wednesday...
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Jun 14, 2012Grocery Workers Mobilize for Shoppers Bargaining
Declaring that workers will not pay the price for corporate mismanagement, members of UFCW Local 400 working at Shoppers Food & Pharmacy are forming an Activist Contract Team...
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Jun 14, 2012It Takes More Than a Shoebox
"Thanks again to everyone who contributed so generously to the recent United Way Shoebox Project"...
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Jun 13, 2012Arts for Activists at Great Labor Arts Exchange
From a film about the founders of the UAW to a workshop on the songs of the Occupy Movement and a session on “Using Social Media to Organize and Push Your Message"...
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Jun 13, 2012DC Workers Walking Tour
DC is rich with workers history. This Saturday a walking tour of downtown DC will reveal labor's often-untold story of power and resistance in the nation’s capital...
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Jun 13, 2012DC United Hosts Labor Soccer Fans
AFL-CIO staffer -- and diehard soccer fan -- Kevin Byrne has worked with the DC United to organize a Labor Night on June 30
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Jun 12, 2012Labor Takes Pride in LGBT Solidarity
Their t-shirts reading "Sleep with the right people" and "LGBT Labor," members of Unite Here locals 23 and 25 participated in the Pride Parade...
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Jun 12, 2012Labor Night at the Nats
When was the last time you heard about a true baseball double-header, when you buy one ticket and get to see both games?! That's what’s on the schedule for Friday, August 3, the 6th annual Labor Night at the Nationals
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Jun 11, 2012Walmart Pays Ward 4 Canvassers More than Associates
Ward 4 residents were surprised last week to find Walmart-hired canvassers covering neighborhoods in postcards hailing the virtues of the retail giant entering the community...
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Jun 11, 2012Coming Up This Week
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events. For more local labor rallies, protests, conferences, and more, check the DC labor calendar...
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Jun 11, 2012Labor Quiz: Lewis' Middle Name?
You probably know that John L. Lewis was president of the United Mine Workers, but what did the "L" stand for?
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Jun 7, 2012Award-Winning Short Doc Screening Tonight
When it comes to politics, retired coal miner Sebert Pertee sees one big problem: the rich keep getting richer while working people lose ground...
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Jun 6, 2012Why You Read Union City
"I read Union City to get a quick look at what is going on in DC," writes Gwen Bradley in response to our annual Union City Reader Survey...
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Jun 5, 2012DC COPE Report: Ending "Pay-to-Play" Politics in DC
DC Ballot Initiative 70, which prohibits corporations and other business entities from making certain direct political contributions "Is a vital effort to get money out of politics..."
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Jun 4, 2012District Activists Dialed In to Wisconsin Recall Election
Despite millions of dollars spent by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, the Koch Brothers and other right-wing groups, another poll out last Friday showed a "dead heat" as the race entered its final hours...
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Jun 4, 2012Union City: Always Room for Improvement
While the initial response to our annual Union City Reader Survey has been overwhelmingly positive, a number of readers have also made specific suggestions...
more...
Jun 1, 2012Weekend Hours Added at AFL-CIO Walker Phonebank
With the latest polls showing the Walker recall effort deadlocked 49-49 percent with turnout the key, the AFL-CIO has extended hours today and added two shifts this weekend to get the Wisconsin union vote out in next Tuesday’s recall election: today, Friday, June 1: 10a-8p; Saturday, June 2:...
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Jun 1, 2012DCNA Donates to ShoeBox Project; Deadline Extended
The DC Nurses Association contributed over 70 personal care kits to the United Way ShoeBox Project this week. The kits include DCNA sticker-studded re-usable plastic boxes, “A great way to promote the union while helping the needy,” says Community Services Agency Executive Director Kathleen...
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Jun 1, 2012Festive Parade Challenges Walmart Push Into DC
It was an unusual parade, to say the least. The main float featured a bed in which Walmart developers waving handfuls of cash cavorted with DC Councilmembers. Another was draped with a giant blue octopus. Marchers chanted anti-Walmart slogans and waved signs urging “Keep DC Walmart Free” and...
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May 31, 2012Help Recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker
Help get out the vote to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker: join the AFL-CIO phone banking effort. Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To volunteer or receive further information about how your department or organization can “adopt a shift” please e-mail or call...
more...
May 31, 2012Firefighters Remember "Fallen Heroes"
“Today is the day that Washington, DC Firefighters set aside to remember fallen heroes, and to pray that no one else will ever have to die for us again,” said Fire Fighters Local 36 President Ed Smith Tuesday at the annual observance of Firefighter Memorial Day. “Today we will read...
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May 31, 2012'Walmart at 50' Retail Worker Parade Today
It's pretty rare for Walmart to back away from a challenge. The world's largest retailer – which celebrates 50 years in business this year -- has been known to fly union-busters from headquarters in Arkansas to intimidate and fire organizers in a single day. So when Walmart announced...
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May 30, 2012Walker Recall Going Down to the Wire
Working families across the country have been joining together in unprecedented ways to stand up to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and his radical, anti-worker politics. With Election Day less than a week away "It's going to take a collective effort from all our brothers and sisters to show Gov....
more...
May 30, 2012Former NLRB Member Becker To Take Top AFL-CIO Post; Controversial Flynn Resigns
Craig Becker (r) , a former National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member who drew so much GOP ire that a Republican filibuster kept him from a permanent board seat, will become Co-General Counsel of the AFL-CIO on July 1. He’ll join incumbent Lynn Rhinehart atop the federation’s legal...
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May 30, 2012Labor Unions Urge MD Assembly to Return for Summer Special Session on Gaming
A coalition of unions is urging the General Assembly and Governor O'Malley to return to the State House later this summer to move the state forward on gaming. Members of the Washington D.C. Building Trades Council, Unite Here Local 25 and the American...
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May 29, 2012Labor FilmFest Offers Discount for Program Ads
Since 2001 the DC Labor FilmFest has screened over 150 films about work and workers – documentaries, dramas and even comedies (like Made In Dagenham , at left ) – bringing directors, stars, workers and activists together in this annual cinematic celebration of the struggle...
more...
May 29, 2012Labor Quiz: Motto
Which of the following mottos has been variously attributed to Samuel Gompers, The Bible, Thomas Carlyle and Frederick Engels? “The people, united, will never be defeated”; "A fair day's wage for a fair day's work"; “The end of labor is to gain leisure.” Click here to submit...
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May 29, 2012Burned Up about Torched Personnel Records
DC firefighters and police are burning mad about personnel records found in burning dumpsters last week. Firefighters responding to a fire in two dumpsters last Friday afternoon at the D.C. Fire Training Academy discovered some of their own personnel documents, as well as documents of...
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May 25, 2012Last Chance for DC-YTU Scholarship
Today's the last day for young women -- or the "young at heart" -- to apply for a scholarship from the DC-YTU...
more...
May 23, 2012Petition Urges Back Pay for City Workers
An online petition urging the DC City Council to pay back city workers "for the needless furlough days that we were forced to accept under the false pretense of a budget shortage" has already gathered over 600 signatures...
more...
May 22, 2012McNutt Blasts Walmart's "Culture of Lawlessness"
Saying that "No one — and no corporation — is above the law," UFCW Local 400 President Tom McNutt called Walmart "a serial violator of wage and hour laws"...
more...
May 22, 2012Asbestos Workers Walk Out in MD
Construction workers escalated demands for a safer workplace by walking off the job in Montgomery County, MD last week...
more...
May 21, 2012New Contract, Bonus for MontCo Workers
UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO -- representing 7,000 Montgomery County government workers -- won approval of the Montgomery County Council for a new agreement...
more...
May 21, 2012Pepco Shareholders Revolt
With shareholder certificates in hand, members of the Our DC community group headed into the Pepco shareholder meeting...
more...
May 18, 2012Labor Photo: Honoring 9/11 Union Members
Labor's International Hall of Fame paid tribute to the more than 600 union members who died on September 11, 2001 in a ceremony at the AFL-CIO yesterday...
more...
May 17, 2012Labor Heats Up in June
June is still a couple weeks away, but it's not too early to mark your calendar with some big labor events coming to the DC metro area...
more...
May 16, 2012IBEW 26 Steps Up Donations to Shoebox Project
The United Way Shoebox Project -- to distribute shoeboxes filled with toiletries or emergency preparedness items to those most in need -- is underway...
more...
May 15, 2012Building Futures Opens with Inspiration
Mary Battle -- not only the first woman Business Manager of Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 891, but the first female Business Manager in any trade in the metro Washington area...
more...
May 15, 2012Labor Photo: DC Labor Chorus Raises Voices and Funds
The DC Labor Chorus hosted a festive Spring Concert this Saturday, featuring guests Kinobe and the African Sensations and the Echoes of Africa-Carpe Diem Community Chorus...
more...
May 14, 2012Coming Up this Week
"Doomsday, No Way!" Rally, Ward 5 Special Election, and a Labor Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony...
more...
May 14, 2012Labor Quiz: What's a Nixie?
Back when most mail moved by train, the Postal Service's railway mail clerks hand-sorted at least 600 pieces of mail per hour and often spoke in shorthand
more...
May 14, 2012Committing to Respect DC
In light of Walmart's bribery and cover-up scandal in Mexico, the Respect DC Coalition plans to "keep up the fight"...
more...
May 11, 2012WTU Pledges to Support Excessed Teachers
As national Teacher Appreciation Week comes to a close, WTU President Nathan Saunders commended District teachers for their "continued excellence..."
more...
May 11, 2012NALC "Stamps Out Hunger" this Weekend
NALC has collected more than 1.1 billion pounds of food for local food banks, pantries, and shelters across the country since 1992...
more...
May 8, 2012Labor Walk Reveals Local History
"I had no idea that labor history was made within blocks of where I work every day," writes DC Employment Justice Center Executive Director Barbra Kavanaugh...
more...
May 8, 2012Labor Video: How to Quit
Workers demonstrate creative ways to quit, including with the help of a brass band!
more...
May 7, 2012DC Young Trade Unionists Scholarship
Young women interested in being part of
the next generation of union leadership have a new opportunity, thanks to a
scholarship being offered this year by the DC Young Trade Unionists (DC YTU).
The scholarship to the UALE Northeast Summer School for Union Women will help
“educate a...
more...
May 7, 2012Live From Labor Notes: Reports & Links
Union City
reporter Julia Kann reported live from the Labor Notes conference in Chicago
over the weekend
via Twitter and the Council website. Here are excerpts and links to those
reports:...
more...
May 7, 2012Your Best Shot
The Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild ( WBNG ) Local 32035 and the Labor Heritage Foundation
are sponsoring the “Occupy Now!” photo contest to find the best shots of the
Occupy movement. The contest will award three photographers -- a student, an
amateur, and a professional -- with...
more...
May 7, 2012Strike Called Off After Civista Threats
Nurses at Civista Medical Center called off their planned May 8-9 strike after
the hospital threatened to replace workers who walked out. Civista RN Patti
D’Ambrosio called the threat “intimidation,” and SEIU 1199 spokeswoman Maureen
Higgins told The Maryland Independent that the...
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May 5, 2012Live From Labor Notes (1): Creative Mischief
Solidarity was in the air in Chicago Friday as labor “troublemakers” from around the world arrived at the 2012 Labor Notes Conference. At a workshop on “Creative Organizing and Strategic Mischief” I found myself in a small group discussing ways to build solidarity among young union...
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May 5, 2012Live from Labor Notes (2): Occupy Transit
A sea of transit union workers – their neon orange
shirts reading "Occupy Transit" and " We are the 99%" -- filled
the front rows of the main auditorium at the Labor Notes conference in Chicago
Saturday morning as ATU President Larry Hanley spoke. ATU 689 President and
Metro Council...
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May 5, 2012Live from Labor Notes (3): The Next Generation of Labor Women
One works to support day laborers. Another grew up walking picket lines with her mother. A third is a teacher at a school in Madison, WI. In all, they were ten young women -- students, organizers, teachers and activists -- who were able to attend the Labor Notes conference this weekend in...
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May 4, 2012Verizon Workers Send Defiant Message to Shareholders
“We don’t feel like Verizon cares about its workers anymore,” said Ray Robidoux as early-morning traffic zoomed past yesterday morning. Robidoux and a handful of his fellow Verizon engineering assistants (at right) -- members of CWA 2108 -- were standing on the shoulder...
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May 3, 2012Hotel Workers Cheer In New Contract
The mood was festive yesterday as hotel workers, members of Unite Here Local 25, overwhelmingly (99.5 percent) ratified...
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May 2, 2012Festive May Day in DC
A giant dragon wove down 14th Street to the White House yesterday evening as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in celebration of May Day...
more...
May 2, 2012Coming Up This Week
Verizon Shareholder Meeting Day of Action, DC JwJ Workers' Rights Board, and more...
more...
May 1, 2012Hotel Workers Win "Groundbreaking" Contracts
After weeks of picketing hotels across the city and months of contract negotiations, area hotel workers have won "groundbreaking" contracts...
more...
May 1, 2012Bill Moyers' 10 Docs on Social Justice Champions
Noting that "Social activism has always been a popular subject for documentarians because it presents stories of both cause and characters," veteran journalist Bill Moyers...
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Apr 30, 2012April Metro Council Meeting Highlights
Threats to the Postal Service -- both neighborhood service and postal jobs -- were a big topic at the April meeting of the Metro Washington Council...
more...
Apr 30, 2012May Day 2012 Preview
This year May Day -- International Workers' Day -- offers metro DC activists plenty of ways to celebrate...
more...
Apr 27, 2012DC Activists Call for Resignations of Top Walmart Leaders
The widening Walmart bribery scandal hit the Pennsylvania Avenue Marriott Thursday morning when Respect DC activists burst into the hotel chanting "Hey Hey! Ho ho! Walmart greed has got to go!"
more...
Apr 25, 2012In Wake of Walmart Bribery Probe, Activists Call for Halt on DC Stores
With the Justice Department now conducting a criminal probe of Walmart for allegations of systematic bribery in Mexico, Respect DC is calling on local authorities "to put a halt on all permitting for Walmart's proposed stores in DC"...
more...
Apr 24, 2012Washington Teachers Debut New Website
The Washington Teachers Union -- with more than 5,000 active and retired teachers in DC -- is staying ahead of the curve...
more...
Apr 24, 2012$100 AT&T Smartphone Rebate
With the Union Plus AT&T Wireless Difference, union members can support their CWA and IBEW union brothers and sisters at the only national unionized wireless provider...
more...
Apr 24, 2012Immigration Debate Hits Local and National Stage
The U.S. Supreme Court will once again be the focus of a major demonstration tomorrow as the Court hears arguments on the legality of SB1070 -- Arizona's notoriously anti-immigrant bill...
more...
Apr 23, 2012Metro Council Delegate Meeting Monday
Hear about upcoming CSA events, Streetheat actions, and reports on the recent primary elections and upcoming DC Ward 5 and presidential elections at tonight's Delegate Meeting...
more...
Apr 23, 2012Signed, Sealed, Delivered
"Enclosed please find five self-addressed #10 envelopes with proper postage affixed on each for copies of the 2012 Metropolitan Labor Council Directory..."
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Apr 23, 2012Labor Quiz: Which Army?
The "Army of the Commonweal in Christ" is more well-known as the Bonus Army, Kelly's Army or Coxey's Army?
more...
Apr 23, 2012Coming Up this Week
Metro Council Delegate Meeting, Unite Here 23 Rally, and more...
more...
Apr 19, 2012Williams to Urge Confirmation of Wasserman & Hoffman to DC PERB
Calling them "supremely qualified," Metro Council President Jos Williams will urge the DC City Council this morning to confirm Donald Wasserman and Ann Hoffman as representatives on the Public Employee Relations Board...
more...
Apr 19, 2012DC COPE Report
"DC Council Delays Furlough Pay Vote" & "Metro Council Endorses Kenyan McDuffie in Ward 5"
more...
Apr 19, 2012Your Story Here
A lot of the stories in Union City come from readers like you and now submitting a story, photo or story idea just got a whole lot easier...
more...
Apr 19, 2012Hotel Workers Launch Mariott Wardman Picket & Boycott
Hotel workers launched a picket line and boycott at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel Thursday morning after contract talks broke down over healthcare, wages and pension issues...
more...
Apr 18, 2012Restaurant Workers Demand Increase in Minimum Wage
"21 years of $2.13 / the NRA is greedy and mean" chanted dozens of protesters in front of the National Restaurant Association office at noontime Tuesday in downtown DC...
more...
Apr 17, 2012Local Labor Celebrates DC Emancipation Day
Organized labor was out in force yesterday at the DC Emancipation Day Parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the day President Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act...
more...
Apr 17, 2012Gray Pushing to Repay DC Employees for Furloughs
DC Mayor Vincent Gray has submitted a supplemental budget that includes a proposal to repay District employees for unnecessary furlough days in 2010...
more...
Apr 17, 2012Norquist Targeted in Demand for Tax Justice
As millions of Americans across the country rushed to beat the annual Tax Day filing deadline, activists gathered in front of Grover Norquist's downtown DC office Tuesday to demand tax justice...
more...
Apr 16, 2012Coming Up This Week
Emancipation Day, SOA Watch Rally, Go to Grover's for Tax Day, and more...
more...
Apr 16, 2012Supermarket Workers to Continue Activism
Saying "We can't stop; we won't stop," local supermarket workers aren't relaxing after winning contracts at Giant and Safeway earlier this month
more...
Apr 16, 2012DC 99% Spring Training Preps for Direct Action
Public school teachers, union organizers, non-profit staffers, a yoga teacher, a think tank fellow, and retirees all came together at the AFL-CIO yesterday to participate in DC Jobs with Justice's 99% Spring training...
more...
Apr 16, 20122012 Directory Updates
An updated PDF of the 2012 Metro Council Directory with half a dozen updates and corrections is now available online...
more...
Apr 13, 2012Coming Up this Weekend
With a whopping ten events scheduled, it’s an action-packed weekend in the DC Metro area; here are a few highlights...
more...
Apr 13, 2012"Sleepful Protest" Targets Banks
"Sleepful Protests" sounds like another oxymoron, like "business ethics" or "bankrupt millionaire" but it's actually a surprisingly-effective new tactic by the endlessly creative Occupy movement...
more...
Apr 13, 2012Injured DC Workers Battle for Benefits
When William Workcuff injured his back at his job with the DC Housing Authority he had no idea of how often he would have to fight the District government to access the medical care he needs...
more...
Apr 12, 2012150th Emancipation Day Anniversary Kicks Off
Yesterday's "March Through The Monuments" kicked off six days commemorating the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of DC's slaves in 1862...
more...
Apr 12, 2012IATSE Targets Anti-Union AV Company
Downtown workers on their lunch break Thursday were surprised to come upon a banner at the corner of 16th and L streets accusing the AAUW of being "Unfair"...
more...
Apr 11, 2012DC Celebrates 150 Years of Freedom
Marking the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, DC Emancipation Day celebrations will be ongoing over the next five days...
more...
Apr 11, 2012Library of Congress Opens Lactation Center
To the cheers of dozens of workers -- many of them working mothers -- the Library of Congress opened the first of two planned lactation centers on March 9...
more...
Apr 11, 201299% Spring Blossoms in DC
More than 100,000 activists are expected to train for non-violent direct action across the country this week as part of the 99% Spring...
more...
Apr 9, 2012UFCW 1994 Wants Problem Busses Off Streets
"Quit playing Russian roulette with the safety of our bus operators and the riding public," said UFCW Local 1994 President Gino Renne...
more...
Apr 6, 2012UFCW 400 Releases Hip-Hop Video
"Fight for the side that's right /grocery workers unite /join us!" raps local hip-hop artist Head-Roc in the infectiously bouncy music video UFCW Local 400 Anthem...
more...
Apr 6, 2012Labor on the Move: UMD Law Student Wins Browning Fund Award
Joshua Lowery, a second-year student at University of Maryland School of Law and the son of IUEC Local 10's Jim Lowery and IAM member Ruth Lowery, has been awarded a 10-week summer fellowship by the Peggy Browning Fund...
more...
Apr 6, 2012Labor Photo: Council Website Wins Front Page Award
Metro Council Union City staffers Chris Garlock, Julia Kann and former staffer Adam Wright accepted the "Distinguished Website Design" award at the Newspaper Guild's Front Page Awards...
more...
Apr 5, 2012SEIU 400 Offers Members Classes
SEIU Local 400 takes education seriously. Not only do they represent the custodial staff for the Prince George's County School System, but now...
more...
Apr 5, 2012Labor Photo: Fire Fighters 36 Welcomes Conference
The DC Pipe and Drum Band -- comprised of members of Fire Fighters Local 36 -- performed during the opening ceremony of the 2012 IAFF Legislative Conference...
more...
Apr 2, 2012DC/MD COPE Reports
Primary election day is tomorrow, April 3; here's a handy guide to the Council's endorsements...
more...
Apr 2, 2012Coming Up This Week
Here are a few local labor events coming up this week; check the labor calendar for even more local labor action...
more...
Apr 2, 2012Labor Quiz: Electrifying
The seal of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers includes 10 bolts of lightning...
more...
Mar 30, 2012Building Futures Grads Working for Better Lives
"Thank you for giving me a chance to have a trade to better my life" said Anthony Scott at the recent graduation ceremonies for the latest Building Futures class...
more...
Mar 29, 2012Workers Reach Tentative Agreement with Giant & Safeway
Giant and Safeway workers in the DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas, represented by UFCW Locals 400 and 27, have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with their employers...
more...
Mar 28, 20122012 Metro Council Endorsements
The Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO has made the following endorsements in the April 3rd primaries...
more...
Mar 27, 2012Raising Voices for Health Care at the Supreme Court
"The right wing is making a big test of what kind of society it is we're going to have" AFSCME's Paul Booth said as he walked the picket line in front of the Supreme Court Monday morning...
more...
Mar 26, 2012Coming Up This Week
Protect the Affordable Care Act, Building a Cooperative Movement, and more!
more...
Mar 26, 2012IUOE 99 Retiree Tapped for Calvert County Award
Kenneth R. Moore, Sr., a member of IUOE Local 99 for 53 years, is such an active member of the Calvert County, MD community that the Calvert County Democratic Party recently gave him its Chairman's Award for Outstanding Service to the Community...
more...
Mar 22, 2012Labor Photo: Teamster Solidarity from Ohio to DC
On strike since February 14, Teamsters Local 507 traveled from Cleveland, Ohio to DC to protest in front of Red Cross Headquarters on 17th Street yesterday...
more...
Mar 22, 2012Labor Seder Tix Still Available
The voices of local immigrant workers will be heard this Sunday at Jews United for Justice's annual Labor Seder...
more...
Mar 21, 2012Safeway Workers Protest "Scab" Hiring Sites
It was Safeway worker Vivian Sigouin's day off but at noon on Tuesday she was walking through the Piney Branch Safeway in northwest DC, passing out union buttons and lanyards to her fellow Safeway workers...
more...
Mar 21, 2012Metro Council Board Sworn In
The election of the Metro Council's Executive Board led off a meeting jam-packed with delegates and upcoming Streetheat and political activities Monday night
more...
Mar 19, 2012Labor Quiz: What Color is Your Contract?
A long-since-outlawed agreement that new workers were forced to sign as condition of employment, stating that they were not members of any union and that they would not join a union, is called...
more...
Mar 16, 2012Giant Workers Say "A Deal is a Deal"
Giant supermarket workers last week were in the Netherlands drumming up awareness of Giant parent company Ahold's broken promises to workers here in the US...
more...
Mar 16, 2012Brand New Labor Walk at IBEW Museum
The newest DC Labor Walk at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) museum still has spots available for next Thursday’s tour...
more...
Mar 16, 20122012 Directory to be Released at Council Meeting
At Monday's Delegate Meeting the brand-new 2012 Directory of Metro Council Affiliates will be released, featuring completely-updated contact information for all affiliates and a listing of local union shops...
more...
Mar 15, 2012DC COPE Report: Council Makes Three DC Endorsements
At well-attended meetings of the Metro Council's Executive Board, delegates and DC COPE last night, the Council made decisions on three endorsements for the April 3rd primary election...
more...
Mar 13, 2012Howard Students Decry Bonuses in Face of Furloughs
"The students united will never be defeated chanted Howard University students outside the university's annual Charter Day Convocation Ceremony last Friday...
more...
Mar 12, 2012DC Labor Walk Explores IBEW Museum
The latest DC Labor Walk offers a very special guided tour of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) museum...
more...
Mar 12, 2012Coming Up This Week
DCJwJ Unpaid Wages Direct Action, The Future of Mass Transit in America Rush Hour Leafletting, and a Lunchtime Documentary Screening...
more...
Mar 12, 2012Labor Quiz: Mayor Powderly?
True or false: Knights of Labor head Terrence V. Powderly also served as Mayor of Scranton, PA?
more...
Mar 12, 2012Labor College Staff Warned of Possible Layoffs
While National Labor College staff was officially warned Monday of "possible layoffs" in the next 60 days, NLC spokesperson Lara Manzione told Union City that "We're working very hard to finalize a new partnership to fill the financial hole created last Fall when our partnership with Princeton...
more...
Mar 9, 2012Labor Seder Set for March 25
"Immigrant Roots, Immigrant Rights" is the theme of this year's annual Labor Seder on March 25, hosted by Jews United for Justice...
more...
Mar 9, 2012Cash-Rich Giant Won't Share With Workers
While Giant supermarkets are demanding major givebacks from their workers, parent company Ahold has "too much cash," Ahold CFO Jeff Carr recently told investors...
more...
Mar 8, 2012JwJ, EJC Urge Action for Injured Government Workers
Demanding that the government recognize the needs of injured DC government workers, a coalition of community groups testified March 1 at the Council's Committee on Government Operations Oversight Hearing on the Office of Risk Management...
more...
Mar 8, 2012DC COPE Report: Consumer Advocates Demand DC Council Vote on PSC Nominee
With District consumers facing major electricity and telephone rate increase requests, dozens of community, labor and faith leaders showed up in front of the John A. Wilson Building yesterday to demand that the DC City Council vote on Elizabeth "Betty" Noel's nomination to the 3-member Public...
more...
Mar 6, 2012Coming Up This Week
While Saturday's "Evening with Labor" is certainly the biggest labor event of the week, it’s not the only one...
more...
Mar 6, 2012Library of Congress Guild Supports Martha's Table
With 18 boxes of children's books and personal care items in tow, union members at the Library of Congress headed to Martha's Table this January to support the organization's impressive community work...
more...
Mar 5, 2012AFSCME Members to Take On Annapolis
Public employees in green union T-shirts with large, green "RESPECT, RIGHTS, REVENUE" signs will rally tonight in Annapolis...
more...
Mar 2, 2012Lessons in Job Safety
Building Futures students are learning fast that when it comes to construction, "safety comes first"...
more...
Mar 2, 2012Evening with Labor Tix Still Available
Just eight days until the 35th annual Evening with Labor, DC labor's premier local labor event featuring awards, a chance to see lots of great labor and political friends, wonderful food at a union hotel, good music and of course dancing...
more...
Mar 2, 2012Nurses Charge Washington Hospital Center With Violating Federal Law
Registered nurses at the District's largest hospital charge that Washington Hospital Center is violating federal labor law by refusing to meet with nurse representatives, undermining the ability of nurses to address patient safety problems and the ability of the hospital to recruit new RNs...
more...
Mar 1, 2012Stage Employees Look to Organize Smaller Venues
Saying that stage employees at all local theaters deserve the same advantages as those working at larger venues, IATSE Local 22 has announced a new organizing drive to unionize "all theatrical stage employees working in smaller theatres, LORT theatres and community theatres"...
more...
Feb 29, 2012Grocery Workers Step Up Campaign for Fair Contract
With just a month to go before their contracts with Safeway and Giant expire, UFCW Local 400 members are expanding their campaign from the streets into the digital realm...
more...
Feb 29, 2012Last Chance For 2012 Directory Updates!
Click here to review a PDF version or here for the Online Metro Washington Council Directory of Affiliates. The Directory’s been completely updated with dozens of corrections for the Council’s nearly 200 affiliated local unions, Councils, Constituency Groups and allies. The Union Shop’s...
more...
Feb 29, 2012DC Accused of "Cheerleading" for Walmart
Calling it "unfortunate" that DC elected officials "have turned into either silent or loud cheerleaders for Walmart," Respect DC organizer Mike Wilson says that "There's just no real willingness to look at [Walmart's] track record"...
more...
Feb 28, 2012Metro Council Supports PG Casino as Jobs Generator
“Our region, and [Prince George's] County in particular, need more good jobs that pay family-sustaining wages and benefits" Metro Council President Jos Williams testified last week...
more...
Feb 27, 2012Coming Up This Week
From Monday's Occupy DC rally to meet-the-author events Tuesday and Wednesday, there's plenty of local labor action this week...
more...
Feb 24, 2012THIS JUST IN: Cooper Tire Settlement Reached
Locked-out Cooper Tire workers reached a tentative agreement late yesterday afternoon, so Saturday's demonstration in Silver Spring has been cancelled...
more...
Feb 23, 2012Mexican Worker Rights Struggle Continues at DC Demo Today
Despite 50,000 activists taking to the streets around the world a year ago, the struggle for workers rights in Mexico continues, including at a noontime action today at the Mexican Embassy in downtown DC...
more...
Feb 23, 2012The Occupied Washington Times Union Connection
The latest issue of the Occupied Washington Times -- Occupy DC's newspaper -- has hit the street, and attentive readers will notice something new on the back page: a union bug...
more...
Feb 22, 2012Labor Quiz: Norma Rae's Awards
How many Academy Awards did "Norma Rae" -- the 1979 film about a textile worker who organizes a union at her plant in North Carolina -- win?
more...
Feb 21, 2012American University Adjuncts Vote to Join Union
In response to growing inequality on campus including near-poverty wages with no benefits, adjunct faculty at American University have voted to join SEIU Local 500...
more...
Feb 17, 2012Labor Photo: Ward 4 and Occupiers "Respect DC"
Over 30 people turned out early Thursday morning in Northwest DC to protest
construction of the District's first Walmart. Occupiers from Occupy DC blocked
two trucks from entering the
site, at Georgia Avenue and Missouri, delaying the morning’s construction,
while members of Ward 4...
more...
Feb 17, 2012Last Chance to see "Mother Jones" Play
Starting tonight, Can’t Scare Me: the Story of Mother
Jones returns to DC this weekend for four final shows.
Award-winning actress Kaiulani Lee (at
left as Mother Jones) -- in “a stunning performance you won’t be
able to take your eyes off of” -- brings labor icon Mother Jones...
more...
Feb 17, 2012Progressive Maryland Launches Campaign for Tax Fairness
Progressive
Maryland (PM) this week launched a statewide campaign for tax fairness with
a mailing to voters in selected election districts across the state
highlighting the inequity in the current tax system and many of the proposals
being considered by the General Assembly to close an...
more...