Labor Updates (8/6/07)

DC hotel workers – members of UNITE HERE Local 25 – and employers began contract negotiations last Thursday, reported Gillian Gaynair Wednesday in the Washington Business Journal. Major contract issues are healthcare, retirement benefits, living wages, and establishing rules for organizing nonunion workers. The current contract expires on September 15 and covers more than 5,000 hotel workers throughout the District…The DC Public Service Commission Wednesday announced the suspension of hearings on Washington Gas’ petition for a rate increase. Hearings were originally scheduled to resume today but the Commission cancelled them to continue to review Washington Gas’ motion for reconsideration. The motion for reconsideration “has been opposed by the Office of People Counsel, the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington, the Federal Executive Agencies, OPEIU, and the District of Columbia Government,” said Commission Secretary Dorothy Wideman in her notice of cancellation. The Commission is also still waiting to receive requested documents about Washington Gas’ plans to outsource 300 Metro DC area jobs, including the company’s contract with the off-shore outsourcing job broker Accenture Ltd. April hotel workers contract kick-off rally, photo by Chris Garlock