Good Jobs Nation Strikes Hit the National Mall

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Just a week after workers went on strike at the Reagan Building (Reagan Building Food Court Workers Strike UC 7/2/2013), low-wage workers at the Air and Space Museum and American History Museum went on strike. The high-energy rally and press conference outside the Air and Space museum yesterday sent echoes of "can't survive on $8.25" through the National Mall. Ana Hernandez, a single mother of five who works for a company on a federal contract with the museums, teared up as she addressed the cheering crowd. Hernandez has been working at the museum for nine years and is paid $8/hour, less than the DC minimum wage. "There's a problem in our economy" added DC Fiscal Policy Institute Executive Director Ed Lazere. "The cost of living in DC is high and it's rising... and wages are low and they're stagnant." After the press conference the joyful rally took to the streets for street theater and a march. This morning striking workers will go back to their jobs with community members' support. Follow @GoodJobsNation on Twitter for updates as they make sure all the workers are able to return. - report/photos by Julia Kann