National Catholic Labor Network Gathering

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Nearly 50 Catholic clergy, laity and women religious from around the country attended the annual Catholic Labor Network Gathering at the Hyatt Regency Hotel last Saturday, including more than a dozen local activists and union leaders. Following a mass in the morning, Fr. John O’Brien, author of “George G. Higgins and the Quest for Worker Justice,” spoke about Catholic Social Teaching and the challenge of creating a theology rooted in solidarity and action. During a panel presentation on “Issues Confronting Working People,” Judith Conti discussed the mission and work of the DC Employment Justice Center, Lori Khamala of the National Farm Worker Ministry told the story of the recent Mt. Olive organizing victory in North Carolina, and Fr. Gerry Creedon of St. Charles Parish in Arlington discussed the Arlington and Alexandria Living Wage Campaigns. During lunch, the group heard about the recent hotel workers struggle from UNITE HERE Local 25 leader Serkalum Nessibu, followed by a keynote speech by Kim Bobo, Director of Interfaith Worker Justice. The CLN aims to be a “place for those Catholics, lay, religious and clergy, who are active in their churches and in unions to learn about their Church's teachings as regards to labor issues, pray for those who are working for economic justice and share information about events and struggles that may be taking place in their area.” Click here for more info or to join their e-mail list: To contact the metro DC chapter, e-mail catholiclabordc@yahoo.com
- reported by Mackenzie Baris