Labor In The News: GMU Food Workers End 2-Day Strike Over Job Safety; Drivers Put The Brakes On TheBus In Prince George's County

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

GMU FOOD WORKERS END 2-DAY STRIKE OVER JOB SAFETY: The more than 100 food service workers employed by Sodexo at George Mason University returned to work last Friday after a 2-day strike to protest unsafe working conditions in the school's cafeterias. The workers--who have suffered cuts, burns and broken bones on the job--have requested safer conditions but say management from the French-based cafeteria contractor has responded to their demands with retaliation instead of providing the protections they need. "We are tired of getting burned and getting cut on the job," said Cristala Morano, who has worked since 1989 for Sodexo. "We want safe jobs and we want our union, but when we speak up, management tries to scare and intimidate us." The workers vowed to continue their efforts to organize a union. Click here for details on the strike.  DRIVERS PUT THE BRAKES ON THEBUS IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY: More than 100 bus drivers went on strike Monday in Prince George's County, reports the Washington Post. Teamsters 639 President Tommy Ratliff said his members want "better job security, improved health insurance, higher wages and changes in the disciplinary policy." The union has been in negotiations with Veolia Transportation, the contractor that operates TheBus for the county, since their contract expired June 30, reports the Post. "There is no job security there," said Ratliff, who said drivers are routinely disciplined for what he considered to be minor infractions. Click here for the complete report in the Post. – photo (right) courtesy The Washington Business Journal; photo (left) by Oren Hirsch