Vote on MontCo Displaced Worker Bill Postponed

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)A vote on a bill that would protect low wage service workers in Montgomery County has been put off until September. The Displaced Worker Protection Act “would ensure that vulnerable, low-wage service workers have temporary job protections when their employer’s service contract is terminated,” says Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 32BJ. Despite testimony by economist Hugh Kelly that the bill would have little to no financial impact on the cities, counties or the state, the Council yesterday postponed a vote, and Local 32BJ Political Director Martin Thomas says the local “will run a strong campaign for the bill during the recess.”  “Contracted security, cleaning and other property service industries are subject to rapid contractor turn over with little or no notice to employees,” said Councilmember Valerie Ervin yesterday, who joined union leaders including 32BJ SEIU District Chair Jaime Contreras and Metro Council President Jos Williams, along with Councilmembers Marc Elrich, and Council Vice President Nancy Navarro, who also support the bill. “This bill would enact a modest and temporary control that will provide stability to service workers whose lives can be irreparably harmed by even short-term income interruptions,”  Ervin added. - photo of Metro Council President Jos Williams addressing workers outside the Council office building; photo by Martin Thomas