Compass Coffee's tactics "absurd & disgusting"
This is the June 26, 2024 edition of our twice-weekly newsletter. Sign up to get news about the DC region’s labor movement delivered straight to your inbox.
How far will bosses go to bust a union? After seven Compass Coffee locations in the DC area began to unionize with Workers United MARJB, the company launched a union-busting campaign which has included firing managers, retroactively changing timesheets, and rapidly adding over 100 new people to the list of employees — including a corporate lobbyist and well-known anti-union boss in the DC area — in an attempt to inflate the voter rolls.
"Claiming that a lobbyist from Uber & CEOs from other companies are workers in order to rig a union election is totally absurd & disgusting," Senator Bernie Sanders posted on social media on Saturday. "I strongly support Compass Workers and call on Compass Coffee DC to respect the rights of their workers to organize & end its union busting."
"Really all we’re asking for is respect, safe working conditions, fair compensation, and benefits, fundamentally, which all equates to just human decency and respect in the workplace," said Penina Meier-Silverman, a shift supervisor at the Georgetown store. "It’s been a very clear response that they intend to do everything in their power to pack this election and kill it." Read more »
Race Forward staff unionize with NOLSW, UAW Local 2320
Congratulations to staff at Race Forward, the national nonprofit dedicated to "dismantling structural racism by building collective community power and transforming institutions," for voluntary recognition of their union with the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW), UAW Local 2320. Unions are an essential part of racial justice, and advocates for this important issue deserve a say on the job.
Apple to "bargain in good faith" with Towson store union
Apple Inc will not challenge the results of a vote by workers at its Towson, MD, store to join a labor union and intends to participate in the bargaining process in good faith. Nearly two-thirds of the employees at the store voted to join the Communications Workers of America last week, making it the first Apple store in the United States to vote to organize. Read more »
Workers are voting to join unions at record high rates
"Workers are voting to join unions at the highest rate in 15 years," Axios reported last week. "It's a reflection of increased grassroots momentum behind organizing, helped along by a strongly pro-worker National Labor Relations Board. Workers voted in favor of a union 74% of the time this year (through April) — a jump from 2019 when it was 69%." Read more »
Upcoming Actions + Events
Labor Night at the Nationals
Be part of the tradition! Labor Night at the Nationals is 17-years strong, and this year's event is coming up next week. That means time is running out to be part of this year's event. Get your tickets to next week’s Labor Night at the Nationals:
SATURDAY: Moral March on Washington, DC and to the Polls
The Mass Poor People’s & Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly will mark the start of outreach to 15 million low-wage infrequent voters ahead of the 2024 U.S. elections and beyond. Join AFL-CIO and affiliated unions this Saturday on the National Mall »
Hiring Hall: Union Jobs in the DC region
AFGE: Communications Specialist
AFSCME District Council 20: Bookkeeper
Concerted Action: Digital Technologist
Communications Workers of America: Human Rights Campaign Lead
Georgetown University Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor: Director of Student and Community Relations
International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Staff Attorney
National Domestic Workers Alliance: DC Organizer
SAG-AFTRA: Business Representative, Washington-Mid Atlantic Local
United Food and Commercial Workers: Benefits Assistant
Around the Region
Top left: Congratulations to Teamsters Local 639 members with Capitol Paving on ratification of their new contract! "The contract passed with every member voting yes to the agreement." Top right: Insulators and Allied Workers Local 24 held their annual picnic last week at King's Dominion. "Everyone had a great time and the weather was perfect!" Bottom left: IBEW Local 26 was the host of the 79th Annual IBEW Bowling Tournament earlier this month in Falls Church. IBEW members from all over the country and Canada came to bowl in the tournament. Bottom right: Congratulations to IUPAT DC 51 for recently swearing in new officers, including new Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer Brian Courtien and Delegate Representatives!
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].