Workers, Potomac Disposal Reach Contract Agreement; Unity Workers Return To Work

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Potomac Disposal's sanitation workers voted yesterday to accept a three-year agreement, while Unity Disposal and Recycling Workers will return to work today. LiUNA! Vice President and Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager Dennis L. Martire called the Potomac agreement “an excellent example of what workers are able to accomplish when they stand together,” adding that “The Unity workers feel they have made the statement they wanted to make, and it’s time now to move the conversation forward by returning to work to show their commitment to the community while continuing to work from within the company for union recognition.” While Potomac agreed to pay raises, one paid holiday, and sick and vacation days for all the workers, the parties were unable to agree on affordable health insurance and Martire said the union “will be pursuing a legislative solution to get these workers coverage they can afford." The two-week strike had generated widespread support among labor, community and religious allies, with an early-morning rally Monday morning in which activists delivered petitions signed by more than 1,400 strike supporters. “The guys from Potomac Disposal work hard in my neighborhood and they do a good job,” said a resident from Dickerson. “They deserve fair wages and affordable health care.” - photo: at Monday’s rally; photo courtesy LIUNA