Architect Of The Capitol Workers Vote Union

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Employees of the Architect of the Capitol voted overwhelmingly for union representation on October 5, voting 50-21 to join Council 26 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The eighty four workers are responsible for maintaining the Library of Congress buildings and grounds, and include elevator mechanics, plumbers, HVAC mechanics, sheet metal workers, grounds keepers and others. Council 26 already represents AOC laborers and custodial workers and the U.S. Botanical Gardens through its affiliated AFSCME Local 626. "This is a landmark election,” said Local 626 President Wally Reed. “The employees of AOC at the Library of Congress showed tremendous courage in stepping forward and asking for a voice in the workplace. The union looks forward to working with management to resolve issues affecting this group of workers." AFSCME Council 26 has nineteen affiliated local unions in such federal agencies as the Library of Congress, Department of Agriculture, Department of Justice, Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Rights Commission, Corporation for National and Community Service, Peace Corps, Voice of America, as well as the Architect of the Capitol.