Capital Area Food Bank workers file for a union
This is the November 25, 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.
Last week, workers at the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) filed to unionize with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.
CAFB workers will make Thanksgiving possible for thousands of families around our region this week. There is no better way to honor their work than with a union.
Hundreds of UMD graduate students rally for collective bargaining rights
More than 400 University of Maryland community members rallied last week to urge the University System of Maryland to recognize graduate student workers’ right to unionize. Rally organizers demanded the university system collectively bargain with the Graduate Labor Union, which would allow workers to negotiate wages, hours, and conditions. Read more »
Washington Area Bicyclist Association workers unionize with Transport Workers Union
Workers at the Washington Area Bicyclist Association have won voluntary recognition with Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 320. “WABA Bike Workers are an important cog in DC’s multi-modal transport network," TWU said in a social media post. "Now, we win that all-important first contract.”
Welcome, new officers at Northern Virginia Labor Federation
Our neighbors at the Northern Virginia Labor Federation elected new officers at their November meeting last week. The new and re-elected officers include President Virginia Diamond (AFM); First Vice President Bertha McKiver (UFCW Local 400); Second Vice President Sonia Vasquez Luna (LiUNA Local 572); and Secretary-Treasurer Esker Bilger (ATU 689). Congratulations — we look forward to working with you!
Upcoming Actions + Events
Tell Governor Moore: Fair Pay for State Workers!
In September, AFSCME Maryland began wage negotiations with the State of Maryland. State employees are still facing dangerously low staffing levels and unsustainable workloads in many of our facilities and workplaces across Maryland. Send a message to Governor Moore and state leaders to come to the bargaining table with a fair wage proposal!
Celebrate with Solidarity
This Thanksgiving, buy union-made
From cookware to cutlery to turkey, vegetables, bread, and desserts, this Thanksgiving, buy union-made. When you buy union, you’re supporting good jobs provide living wages and benefits, safe working conditions, and dignity and respect for work. See union-made products, produced by union members, you can include in your Thanksgiving feast.
Support union families this holiday season
Every year at holiday time, the Community Services Agency provides holiday baskets to families who could use a little extra support. This week we'll share Thanksgiving baskets with several families, thanks to the generosity of our Affiliate unions.
Referrals for Christmas are open now until December 6. Contributions for Christmas are open until December 13. Refer a family or contribute for this year's holiday season.
Around the Region
National Apprenticeship Week was in full swing last week! Clockwise, from top left: Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5, IUOE Local 99, and IUPAT DC 51 hosted training center tours and open houses for prospective apprentices. Learn more about apprenticeships with the Finishing Trades Institute. And congratulations to AFSCME Maryland locals in Prince George's County on the County Council's unanimous approval of new union contracts for county workers!