Celebrating Wins, Continuing The Struggle

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

The mood was celebratory at Monday’s Metro Council meeting, with victories in last week’s primaries -- especially Vince Gray’s in the District -- to savor (click here to see how labor-endorsed candidates fared), as well as contract wins at the Washington Convention Center by IBEW Local 26 and by the Newspaper Guild at the AFL-CIO and the Department of Professional Employees, as well as the 2010 ILCA Best Electronic Newsletter award to Union City. But the packed room of local labor activists and leaders had no time to rest on their collective laurels. Metro Council President Jos Williams (left) -- along with political coordinator Rick Powell, assistant political coordinator Alya Solomon and MD/DC State Fed Political Director Denise Riley (below) -- urged everyone to turn out for Friday’s Labor 2010 GOTV Rally with all area labor-endorsed candidates. The family-friendly event includes food, games for kids and runs 6-9P at ATU 689’s union hall (2701 Whitney Place, Forestville MD). “Maryland is a battleground state this year,” said Williams, “and we’ve got to hit the streets if we’re going to hold onto the Governor’s mansion in November.” Local organizers from the upcoming One Nation demonstration on October 2 distributed materials promoting the event, which is expected to draw massive crowds -- including major labor participation -- to Washington around the issues of jobs, education and the economy. The AFL-CIO and Metro Council are helping recruit, train and coordinate the small army of local marshals needed to help marchers get to and from the event safely; email streetheat@dclaborarchives.org for details on how your members can volunteer.
Other meeting highlights included:
- Delegates reported on ongoing struggles for contracts by Nurses United (Washington Hospital Center), Musicians 161-710 (the Washington Ballet), the Council of School Officers Local 4 (DC Public Schools), AFSCME 2921 (also DCPS), and the Newspaper Guild (National Association of Social Workers). Watch Union City for updates on activities around these and other affiliate struggles.
- There’s still room for golfers at Monday’s Community Services Agency Golf Tournament, which will raise funds for CSA’s Emergency Assistance Fund, which has been out of money for several weeks. Email kmckirch@dclaborarchives.org for details on golfing and/or contributing
- United Way/CFC/DC One Fund fall campaigns are launching: CSA staff are available to address your members anytime, anywhere about the importance of supporting CSA with donations through the campaigns. Email kmckirch@dclaborarchives.org
- The 10th annual DC Labor FilmFest line-up is set and the FilmFest kicks off on October 13. Still time to place an ad in the FilmFest Program Guide and to schedule a free workplace/office showing of Working Lunch, the 30-minute compilation of short labor films. Email streetheat@dclaborarchives.org - report by Chris Garlock; photos by Adam Wright; photo (bottom): Geri Lee of Nurses United is seen reporting on contract negotiations at the Washington Hospital Center