Walking The Line At Daycon

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

The strike by 55 Teamsters at Daycon entered its fifth day on Friday with a show of solidarity from area labor, including UFCW Local 400, the Washington Building and Construction Trades Council, the Newspaper Guild, the Bricklayers, OPEIU, American Income Life, and the Community Services Agency. Metro Council President Jos Williams did his weekly WPFW segment live from the picketline, with Local 639 President Tommy Ratliff and striking Daycon worker Eugene Brown. The workers had received their termination letters the previous day, along with notification that Daycon was canceling their health insurance, but spirits were high as the reinforcements turned out, including IUOE 99's "Big Man" and the Laborer's giant rat. "I strongly urge all area labor activists to support our brothers and sisters at Daycon by walking the line," said Williams. The picketline is at 16001 Trade Zone Ave, Upper Marlboro, MD; 7-10a is the best time, as it's when the Daycon trucks roll out. Supporters can also donate canned goods and financial contributions. Non-perishable food items and checks can be dropped of or mailed to the CSA, earmarked 'IBT Strikers', at 888 16th Street, NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC 20006. Email kmckirch@dclaborarchives.org for more information. - report/photo by Chris Garlock