Heat is the leading cause of death among workers. Millions of U.S. workers are exposed to heat in their workplaces, both outdoors and indoors, and Black and Brown workers can be the ones hardest hit. The connection between labor, racial justice, and environmental justice was the theme of today's Climate, Equity & Jobs Convening hosted by AFL-CIO. The event discussed the challenges climate change has created for workers and the need for increasing federal funding to build a worker-friendly and sustainable green economy. “I have worked for 27 years to keep the dorms clean for the students," Rhonda Leneski, a member of AFSCME Local 1072 and housekeeper at the University of Maryland, said at the event. "Climate change has presented a new challenge to AFSCME members and the community. In my work, climate change has created worsening working conditions for myself and my coworkers caused by stress and heat.” Watch the recorded event » Upcoming Events
May Day Events
Metropolitan Washington Council newsEnrollment now open for the next class of Building Futures
Around the RegionCongratulations to Workers United MARJB and the Starbucks partners at Shipleys Grant in Ellicott City, MD (top left) and the Old Keene Mill in Springfield, VA (top right) for winning their union elections this past week! Congratulations also to the ATU Local 689 members Oscar Matamoros and Martin Lopez, part of the three-person team who took home the victory crown at the "Virginia Bus Roadeo." They're headed to Portland this week to compete for the national title! And congrats to Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 who hosted their Industry Day last week with facility tours, live demos, and more. Submit news items to [email protected].
Want your union's work to be featured in this newsletter? Apply to become an Affiliate. Affiliate NewsGeorgetown RAs vote to unionize with OPEIU Local 153
AFSCME Maryland Council 3 welcomes five Chief Stewards
Council NewsChris Roell of Workers United Mid-Atlantic Regional Joint Board elected as Council TreasurerEnrollment now open for the next class of Building Futures
Community Services Agency seeks a Case Manager
Hiring Hall: |
The 2024 Maryland Legislative Session concluded at midnight on Monday, April 8, and our union has a lot to celebrate! The Green Machine passed not one but TWO bills this session that enable collective bargaining rights for over 7,000 public employees within state government and across county library systems. Read more » |
Workers at the Wydown Coffee move to unionize
Workers at the Wydown Coffee Bar locations are moving to form a union. "Wydown management has demonstrated a consistent pattern of disregard for the concerns we have brought to their attention in recent months. We try our best to maintain a high quality of service, but we are consistently short staffed and left without the supplies and tools we need to do our jobs." Read more » |
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Metro Washington Council Delegates MeetingTODAY starting at 6:30 PM
IBEW Local 26 (4371 Parliament Place, Lanham, MD)
At the next meeting of Delegates to the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO we will hold an election for Treasurer and accept nominations for one seat on the Executive Board. Delegates, register now for tonight's meeting.
IBEW Local 26 (4371 Parliament Place, Lanham, MD)
At the next meeting of Delegates to the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO we will hold an election for Treasurer and accept nominations for one seat on the Executive Board. Delegates, register now for tonight's meeting.
Tri-Counties Committee on Political Education Tuesday April 16 at 6:00 PM In person at American Legion (6330 Robert S Crain Hwy, La Plata, MD 20646) No registration required DC Committee on Political Education Wednesday April 17 at 3:00 PM Register for the Zoom meeting » |
Plumbers Local 5 Open House Thursday, April 18 — 10:30 AM-4:00 PM Experience firsthand what makes our industry tick with facility tours, live demos, and insightful networking opportunities. Plus, indulge in delicious treats from food trucks to keep you fueled throughout the day! Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and explore. Details » |
Building Trades' Workers Memorial Mass Thursday, April 25 — 5:00 PM St. Camillus Catholic Church The Building Trades' Workers Memorial Mass is a time of remembrance for those workers who were killed or injured on the jobsite. The Mass will be led by Father Brian Jordan, OFM, Labor Priest and Pastor of St. Camillus Church. ALL ARE INVITED. Rank-and-file members in the Trades, safety personnel, union leaders, OSHA officials, family, friends and elected leaders. More details » |
Union Jobs & Career Fair Saturday, May 4 — 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Dulles Expo Center Calling all high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors! It's never too early to explore career options! Join Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 at the All-Trades Career Fair on May 4th at Dulles Expo Center. Give your soon-to-be-graduates a head start in a skilled trade! More details » |
Stamp Out Hunger Saturday, May 11 at your mailbox On Saturday, May 11, the National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO, UFCW, and community partners across the country are teaming up to #StampOutHunger. Leave donations of non-perishable food in a bag near your mailbox, and your letter carrier will do the rest. More details » |
Around the Region
It was great to be with this year's Evening with Labor award winners (clockwise, from top left) DC Nurses Association, Washington-Baltimore News Guild, Emiliana Sparaco of NPEU/IFPTE Local 70 and Chris Biondi of Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5. Congratulations again to all of this year's honorees!
Evening with Labor 2024 is just two days away and we can't wait to celebrate all of this year's honorees. A few final tickets for this event have been released! Reserve your seat for our biggest event of the year before they're gone:
Recent News
President Biden joins AFSCME, SEIU, AFL-CIO and union allies to say #CareCantWait
Yesterday President Biden spoke at a rally highlighting investments in the care economy hosted by Care Can’t Wait Action, a coalition of groups focused on expanding access to child care, paid family and medical leave and home-based services. SEIU Local 500, 1199 SEIU Maryland/ DC, AFSCME, and AFL-CIO joined the president for the event. Read more » |
Commentary: Rebuild the Key Bridge with local union labor
"As the city of Baltimore and the wider region grapple with the aftermath of an unthinkable tragedy, we must mourn the six men who lost their lives in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse last month, and never forget how fragile life can be, especially on a job site — any job site..How we choose to rebuild will shape the physical landscape of our city and define our commitment to our workers, our communities and our children." Read more » |
Workers at Smith College Libraries vote unanimously to join OPEIU Local 153
This week is National Library Week, and that was the perfect time for workers at Smith College Libraries to unionize with OPEIU Local 153! Congratulations, Smith College Libraries workers, and welcome to the OPEIU family. Read more » Wishing a happy National Library Week to the library workers who power learning throughout the DC region and beyond. |
Sightline Media Union joins Washington-Baltimore News Guild
On Monday, "We, a significant majority of journalists at Sightline Media Group, filed to form a union with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. We have dedicated careers to covering U.S. troops, their families, veterans, and the policies and technologies that affect them. We wish to continue serving our readers to provide fair and accurate journalism. That is why, for the first time in the decades since we've first published, we decided to unionize." Read more » |
Upcoming Meetings
Delegates Meeting
Monday, April 15, 2024 starting at 6:30 PM
In person at IBEW Local 26 (4371 Parliament Place, Lanham, MD)
At the next meeting of Delegates to the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO we will hold an election for Treasurer and accept nominations for one seat on the Executive Board. Delegates, register now for Monday's meeting.
Tri-Counties COPE
✨Correction: Tuesday April 23 ✨ at 6:00 PM
In person at American Legion (6330 Robert S Crain Hwy, La Plata, MD 20646)
No registration required
DC COPE
Wednesday April 17 at 3:00 PM
Register for the Zoom meeting
Monday, April 15, 2024 starting at 6:30 PM
In person at IBEW Local 26 (4371 Parliament Place, Lanham, MD)
At the next meeting of Delegates to the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO we will hold an election for Treasurer and accept nominations for one seat on the Executive Board. Delegates, register now for Monday's meeting.
Tri-Counties COPE
✨Correction: Tuesday April 23 ✨ at 6:00 PM
In person at American Legion (6330 Robert S Crain Hwy, La Plata, MD 20646)
No registration required
DC COPE
Wednesday April 17 at 3:00 PM
Register for the Zoom meeting
Hiring Hall: Union jobs in the DC region
- AFL-CIO: Governance and Organizational Development Coordinator
- AFL-CIO Technology Institute: Communications Manager
- AFGE: EEO Specialist (Attorney)
- AFGE: Legislative Representative
- AFGE: Program Manager, District 14
- AFSCME: Labor Economist I
- AFSCME: Field Education Coordinator II
- Air Line Pilots Association: Mass Media Relations Specialist
- American Federation of Teachers: Union Organizer
- American Federation of Teachers: National Representative I-IV
- American Postal Workers Union: Senior Manager
- IAMAW: Junior Assistant Bookkeeper
- Fairfax County Federation of Teachers: Organizer
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Capital Markets Analyst
- Chispa League of Conservation Voters: Chispa National Organizing Administrative Associate
- League of Conservation Voters: Associate Manager of Prospect Research & Portfolio Management
- Maryland State Education Association: Organizer
- National Education Association: Senior Program/Policy Analyst/Specialist
- National Nurses United: Greater DC Area Labor Representative
- Public Services International: Sub-Regional Secretary
- SEIU: Credit Card Specialist
- SEIU Local 32BJ: Grievance Representative
- SEIU Local 500: Member Strength Organizer
- SEIU CIR: New Organizer
- SEIU CIR: Lead New Organizer
- SEIU CIR: Negotiations and Grievance Coordinator
- Strategic Organizing Center: Strategic Campaigns Director
- United Food and Commercial Workers: Confidential Secretary