Our union family and this week's tragedy

As many of you know, on Wednesday night an American Airlines flight on its way from Kansas to Reagan National Airport collided with a helicopter and crashed over the Potomac River. All 67 people on board the aircrafts were killed.

Every person who lost their life in this disaster was a beloved family member and community member. Our hearts go out to everyone who is now grieving the loss of their loved ones in the wake of this event.

Yesterday we learned that four members of Steamfitters Local 602, one member of Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5, and one member of Washington-Baltimore News Guild TNG/CWA Local 32035 were among the people on board. We are heartbroken at this loss.

We also know that our AFL-CIO siblings at the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and Air Line Pilots Association are also grieving the loss of lives of several of their members. We extend our deepest condolences and solidarity to our entire union family as we collectively process this tragedy.

As many of us were learning of this disaster, the hardworking and heroic members of the DC Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 36 were already at the crash site and have been working around the clock since Wednesday as part of the first responder team. IAFF 36 members, we see you and thank you for everything you are doing as part of the response and recovery effort.

This tragedy happened at a time when many of our Affiliate unions here in the DC region are fighting to protect federal workers as well as our immigrant communities. Solidarity with one another is our greatest tool during moments like this.

The Metropolitan Washington Council extends our deepest condolences as well as our solidarity to our entire union family in this moment. We are stronger together.

Sincerely,
Samuel Epps
President, Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO