Labor Updates (3/5/08)

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Cafeteria Workers Boycotting LOC: Library of Congress (LOC) cafeteria workers are battling for their union again. They started organizing boycotts at LOC cafeterias last Friday after their new employer  -- I.L. Creations - failed to show for contract negotiations with UNITE HERE Local 25, which represents the workers. According to a flyer being distributed at the LOC by the union, "It is evident by I.L. Creations blatant disrespect for the workers that they are not serious about negotiating a contract with the cafeteria worker's Union." And Local 25's William Aragon told Roll Call on Monday that "From day one, we felt that (Creations President Steve Choi) wanted to bust the workers' union." For details, contact Christopher Roell, CRoell@local25now.org. Federal Pay Caught Up in Fiscal 2009 Budget Debates: It's uncertain where federal employees will end up in the 2009 budget debates, reports Steven Barr in the Washington Post. “Congressional budget committees begin writing their fiscal 2009 spending plans this week,” Barr wrote on Tuesday, “no doubt tossing out and reshaping many of President Bush's priorities. Democrats and Republicans -- especially because it's an election year -- will be jousting over spending, taxes, health care, Social Security and other entitlements.” Thanks to AFSCME Council 26, which posted the Barr report Tuesday.