"More freedom includes the freedom to join a union"

Written By Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO

This is the August 21, 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.

Donna S. Edwards, President of the Maryland State & DC AFL-CIO as well as a delegate to the DNC for Maryland, was one of thousands of people holding signs reading "UNION YES!" on the convention floor. Photo via AP.

Leaders of some of the nation's largest unions took to the stage at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Monday, to make it clear Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz are the leaders workers need in the White House.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders, SEIU President April Verrett, LiUNA General President Brent Booker, IBEW International Secretary Treasurer Kenneth Cooper, CWA President Claude Cummings Jr., UAW President Shawn Fain, and AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler all spoke from the DNC main stage about Harris and Walz's record on the issues that matter to America's working families.

"They're guided by a basic principle: more freedom for working people, including the freedom to join a union," said President Saunders. Watch the remarks »

Call to action: UNITE HERE Local 23 to picket at Reagan National Airport next week

Master ConcessionAir workers at Reagan National Airport have circulated a petition asking for a fair process to decide whether to form a union without threats and intimidation. These workers deserve the same respect that hundreds of union airport food service workers already enjoy.

UNITE HERE Local 23 will picket at DCA this Monday, August 26 and Tuesday, August 27, and are calling on allies to turn out in support. Join workers on Monday from 10-11:30 AM or Tuesday from 1-3 PM outside Terminal 2.

WMATA contract = ratified

Yesterday ATU Local 689 announced that WMATA workers ratified a new contract between the union and WMATA. Members voted throughout the day on Monday, August 19, and results were tallied late that night. The contract now has to be ratified by the WMATA Board of Directors.

DC COPE meeting today at 3 PM on Zoom

The next meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO's DC Committee on Political Education (COPE) will take place today, August 21, at 3:00 PM on Zoom. During today's meeting we will discuss DC elections this November, as well as organizing priorities in DC for this fall. Register to join today's meeting on Zoom.

Hiring Hall: Union jobs in the DC region

The Community Services Agency (CSA) of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO is looking for its next Director.

CSA provides key assistance to working families in the DC region, as well as job readiness programs that build the next generation of union members. If that's work that you are ready to lead, learn more and apply.

If you've ever wanted to become a union member of IAFF Local 36, the DC Firefighters Association, now is the time!

Applications are currently open for careers at DC Fire and EMS. These roles include paid training, tuition reimbursement, a pension plan and more — but applications close on August 31. Learn more and apply.

Around the Region

Top left: Kayla Mock of UFCW Local 400, Doris Crouse-Mays of the Virginia AFL-CIO, and Herbert Harris Jr. of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen, IBT are some of the many DC region union leaders at the DNC this week. Top right: Angela Alsobooks spoke to the Virginia Delegation at breakfast this morning. Bottom right: ATU Local 689 held its annual Fish Fry and Car Show last week, and welcomed ATU members along with special guests like Maryland State Delegate Jazz Lewis. Bottom left: IUPAT DC 51 shared updates from their members hard work on the Hatem Bridge project in Cecil County.

Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO
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AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and labor leaders to speak tonight at Democratic National Convention