2011: DC Labor's Year In Review (Part 5)
Friday, January 6, 2012
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)This wraps up our review of some of the local labor movement's highlights from
the past year. “It’s a brand new year,” says Council President Jos
Williams, “and we’re looking forward to seeing even more solidarity in 2012
as we continue the struggle for workers locally and across the globe.”
October 17:
New
4-Year Contract for DC-Metro/Baltimore Office Cleaners Protects 12,000 Good
Jobs
Less than 24 hours before their contract expired, area office
cleaners Sunday night won a tentative agreement with wage increases. “This is
not just a win for working families and our communities, but it ensures tenants
will receive professional service and gives our economy a much-needed boost,"
said Jaime Contreras, SEIU 32BJ Capital Area Director...
November 4: "Tax Wall
Street" Thousands Demand at U.S. Treasury
Thousands of activists rallied
outside the U.S. Treasury yesterday to demand a tax on Wall Street. Chanting
“Banks got bailed out, we got sold out!” the demonstrators, led by the
National Nurses United (NNU) and joined by the AFL-CIO, unions and community
activists, including participants from the Occupy Wall Street movement, rallied
in Lafayette Park and then marched on the Treasury Department...
December 1:
DC
Workers Support Massive UK Public Sector Strike
Chanting “No ifs, no
buts, no public sector cuts” as they circled outside the British Embassy in
Northwest DC, over 100 area workers rallied Wednesday in a show of solidarity
with striking public sector workers in Britain...
December 7: Bad Day
for K Street Lobbyists
It was not a good day to be a DC lobbyist. Despite
a steady rain, bands of activists roamed downtown Washington, massing outside
lobbyist offices to chant “Banks got bailed out, we got sold out!” and “We
are the 99 percent!”...