Teamsters, Whistleblowers & Nurses Tripleheader Today

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Area labor activists are set to heat things up today with three separate events across metro Washington. Start the day with an ecumenical prayer service at Daycon at 10A as local faith leaders call on the cleaning supplies firm to return to the bargaining table with Teamsters Local 639 and "bargain in good faith with the more than 50 company employees that were forced out on strike April 26th." Then at 12:30P, hear from Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health David Michaels about the role OSHA plays in enforcing whistleblower statutes at a discussion sponsored by Professionals for the Public Interest (PftPI). After work, stop by the Washington Hospital Center where nurses are holding an informational picket at 5P to protest the negative effects on patients and nurses of the hospital's demands to reduce earnings and change work rules. (Parking is available at the hospital in Pavilion 1 and Pavilion 2, which are accessible via Hospital Center Drive & First Street; supporters can park in either pavilion and walk to the picket at First & Irving Streets.) Click here for the week's complete lineup of events on the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO's website. Email streetheat@dclaborarchives.org to notify us of your upcoming labor event! – photo: United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400 President Tom McNutt (l) and Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO President Jos Williams (r) walk the picket line with Teamsters Local 639 President Tommy Ratliff (center) supporting striking Daycon workers last Tuesday; photo by Chris Garlock