AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and labor leaders to speak tonight at Democratic National Convention
This is the August 19, 2024 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.
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is getting underway in Chicago today, and leaders of several of the largest labor unions in the country will have speaking slots during tonight's primetime coverage, including UAW President Shawn Fain, AFSCME President Lee Saunders, and AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. Tune in to the livestreamed remarks starting at 6:15 PM EDT.
ATU Local 689 reaches tentative agreement with WMATA, members vote today on ratification
Last week ATU Local 689 reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with WMATA for the thousands of workers who make the DC region's trains, buses, and paratransit services run.
Local 689 members at WMATA are voting today on whether or not to ratify the agreement. Voting will take place throughout the day and results are expected this evening.
Circulator workers deserve better
ATU Local 689's tentative agreement for WMATA workers comes at a time when the union is pushing for DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and DDOT to transfer Circulator service, which is expected to begin sunsetting on October 1, to WMATA. Send a letter today to make sure Circulator workers don't get left behind.
DC orders InterContinental to pay former Moon Rabbit workers
Following allegations that management at the InterContinental Washington DC misled staff about proper compensation practices, 42 former Moon Rabbit workers will receive a distributed sum of $126,650, Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced on August 15.
Per an investigation from the Office of the Attorney General, IHG failed to provide its Moon Rabbit employees with accurate, honest, timely, and transparent pay policies — leaving tipped workers confused and vulnerable to exploitation.
Moon Rabbit abruptly closed last year while workers were in the process of organizing a union with UNITE HERE Local 25. Hotel staffers ultimately won the right to unionize at Dockside Restaurant and Bar, the generic surf-and-turf replacement to Moon Rabbit. Read more »
Upcoming Events
Labor Day Mass at St. Camillus
Wednesday, August 28 — 5:00 PM
Silver Spring, MD
Before you enjoy the Labor Day weekend, come honor and pray for working people at the Labor Day Mass at St. Camillus Church. Fr. Brian Jordan, OFM, presiding. All unions and working people are invited.
2024 NoVA Labor Picnic
Sunday, September 1 — 12-3 PM
Fort Hunt Park, Alexandria, VA
NoVA Labor's annual Labor Day Weekend Picnic is coming up this year on Sunday, September 1 from 12-3 PM at Fort Hunt Park in Alexandra. Join our Virginia labor allies for food, music, speeches, bounce castle, face painting, soccer and more.
Walk with IUPAT DC 51 in the 2024 Greenbelt Labor Day Parade
Monday, September 2 — 9 AM-12 PM
Corner of Crescent & Ridge Roads, Greenbelt, MD
Join IUPAT DC 51 invites union members, families, and allies to walk in the Greenbelt Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 2, 2024. IUPAT will have a tent at the corner of Crescent and Ridge Roads, across from the police station. T-Shirts will be provided. Confirm your attendance and reserve a shirt.
Community Services Agency 27th Annual Golf Tournament
Monday, September 23 – 6:30 AM
Enterprise Golf Course
You are invited to join the Community Services Agency for their 27th Annual Golf Tournament, to benefit the emergency assistance fund for union members in need. This year’s event will take place on Monday, September 23 at Enterprise Golf Course in Mitchellville, MD. Register for this year's tournament.
In Memoriam
Today the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO honors the life and legacy of Rick Powell, who served as Political Director at the Metropolitan Washington Council for many years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and the political director at UNITE HERE Local 25.
Many of us knew Rick as a leader and dear friend, and he remained part of the Council's work at events like the annual Community Services Agency bowling tournament (Rick is in the center in the photo above).
Our thoughts are with Rick's family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched. May we honor his memory by continuing the fight for the principles he championed.
Around the Region
Left: Last week was Union Night at Oriole Park in Baltimore and our allies at Workers United MARJB and Metropolitan Baltimore AFL-CIO came out to cheer on the O's. Right: As part of AFSCME's international convention last week AFSCME Maryland's President Patrick Moran was officially sworn in as the Capital Region’s International Vice President. Congratulations, President Moran!
Share your news
Got an action, event, open position, or other update you want labor leaders in DC and Maryland to know about? Submit news items to [email protected].