In massive victory for workers, InterContinental Group agrees to fair union recognition process 

Following months of intensive organizing, two weeks of daily picket lines, and a call for public boycott, workers at the InterContinental on The Wharf are poised to win their union. In an agreement finalized on June 7, IHG has agreed to an expedient, neutral process for union recognition and bargaining a first contract. Read UNITE HERE Local 25's full statement »

This is a tremendous victory for InternContinental workers and the unions who have been part of the fight! To everyone who joined the picket lines over the last two weeks, congratulations — you helped make this victory possible!

Committee on Political Education (COPE) meetings are a chance for all members of our affiliate unions to learn about your rights, your workplace, and the labor movement in DC and Maryland. Register to join the Metro Washington Council at one of this month's upcoming COPE meetings:

• Prince George's + Montgomery County (Thurs. June 15 at 10:00 a.m.)
• Washington DC (Wed. June 21 at 2:00 p.m.)
• Tri-County (Wed. June 21 at 7:00 p.m.)

Not sure whether your union is included? See the list of our affiliates.

RALLY with Justice for Janitors this Thursday, June 15

Next year, over 11,000 janitors in DC, Montgomery County, Baltimore, and northern Virginia will bargain a new contract.

In advance of that effort, join Justice with Janitors on Thursday, June 15 at 4:00 p.m. at Farragut Square (17th St & K St NW) to carry forward the proud tradition of supporting janitors who are fighting for good jobs for everyone.

June 21: National Day of Action for Social Security Administration workers

AGFE is back at the bargaining table with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to renegotiate six key articles of union members' contract. After decades of stagnant budgets, increasing staff retirements and resignations, and staffing levels at a 25-year low, the SSA is in crisis. Workers need dramatic changes in the quality of our training, wages, and benefits to make the agency a competitive employer. Sign the petition supporting SSA workers.

Want to do more? Join AFGE President Kelley, lawmakers, AFGE SSA General Committee Leadership, and coalition allies to support SSA workers and fight to protect employee rights! Rally with AFGE on Wednesday, June 21 at 12:00 p.m. on the Capitol grounds at Independence Ave. SE & 1st St. SE.

June 22: Celebrate the effort for a DC of shared abundance with DC Fiscal Policy Institute

On June 22, join DC Fiscal Policy Institute for a reception to celebrate the end of DC budget season and toast our collective progress towards building a District of shared abundance and collective liberation. Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO president Dyana Forester will provide the keynote address. Get free tickets »

Full Event Calendar

17th Annual Northeast Shoot for a Cure Charity Sporting Clays Shoot

Wednesday, June 14 — 10:00 a.m.

Point at Pintail, 511 Pintail Point Farm Lane, Queenstown, MD

Contact Mark Gagliardi at (925) 698-0719 or [email protected].

RALLY with Justice for Janitors this Thursday, June 15
Thursday, June 15 — 4:00 p.m. 
Farragut Square (17th St & K St NW) 
Carry forward the proud tradition of supporting janitors who are fighting for good jobs for everyone.

Jazz On the Rails-Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 17 — 4:00-11:00pm

On June 17, 2023, join the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen for Jazz on The Rails, a Juneteenth Celebration at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. Learn more and get tickets »

Rally with AFGE for Social Security Administration workers

Wednesday, June 21 — 12:00 p.m.

U.S. Capitol grounds at Independence Ave. SE & 1st St. SE., DC
Join AFGE President Kelley, lawmakers, AFGE SSA General Committee Leadership, and coalition allies to support SSA workers and fight to protect employee rights!

Momentum for Change with DC Fiscal Policy Institute
Thursday, June 22 — 6:00pm
The Backroom at Capo Deli, 715 Florida Ave NW, DC
Join the DC Fiscal Policy Institute for a celebratory reception to commemorate the conclusion of DC’s budget season and toast our collective progress towards building a District of shared abundance and collective liberation. Get tickets »

Union night at Camden Yards

Friday, July 14 — 7:05pm

Join the Metro Baltimore Council AFL-CIO for Union Night at the Baltimore Orioles game! $5 of every ticket sale directly benefits Community Services. Contact Blaine Boone at (410) 247-4898 or [email protected].

Labor Day with the Washington Nationals vs. Texas Rangers

Wednesday, July 7 — 7:05pm

Join us at Nationals Park as we honor and recognize the 15th Annual Labor Union Day. To purchase 10 or more tickets contact Josh Grohs at (202) 640-7714 or [email protected]. Get tickets »

Insulators & Allied Workers Local #24: 19th Annual Golf Outing
Friday, August 11, 2023 — 8:00am
Compass Pointe Golf Course, 9010 Fort Smallwood Road, Pasadena, MD
For more information and tickets, email Casey Gignac at [email protected].

Labor Day at Washington Commanders vs. Arizona Cardinals

Sunday, September 10 — 1:00pm 

Each union that brings out 50 or more people will be able to come onto the field after the game to take a photo. Each ticket includes a $5 donation. Contact Ari Kwitkin-Close at (301) 276-6406 or [email protected].

The 26th Annual Community Services Agency Golf Tournament

Monday, October 16, 2023 — 7:00am

Enterprise Golf Course, 2802 Enterprise Road, Mitchellville, MD

For more information contact Letycia Pastrana at [email protected].  

Labor Day with the Commanders vs. NY Giants

Sunday, November 19, 2023 — 1:00pm

Each union that brings out 50 or more people will be able to come onto the field after the game to take a photo. Each ticket includes a $5 donation. Contact Ari Kwitkin-Close at (301) 276-6406 or [email protected].

Recent News

Ex-Moon Rabbit Workers Will Get Their Union After Wharf Hotel Agrees To Recognize Bargaining Unit
DCist — June 7, 2023
D.C.’s Wharf InterContinental Hotel has agreed to voluntarily recognize its employees’ union after cards are checked, which will include workers from the now-shuttered Moon Rabbit restaurant, according to their bargaining agent UNITE HERE Local 25. The move comes roughly two months after the employees announced their union drive and just a day before a scheduled election through the National Labor Relations Board.

LiUNA endorses President Joe Biden for re-election
"Biden runs on a record of creating hundreds of thousands of infrastructure jobs with family-supporting wages, pension relief for union members and their families, a historic update to strengthen Davis-Bacon prevailing wages, protecting federal workers’ union rights, raising service contract workers’ wages, and protecting Mail Handlers jobs through postal reform." — Brent Booker, LIUNA General President

AFGE Members Living in Maryland Will Be Able to Deduct Union Dues on State Income Taxes
AFGE – June 5, 2023
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed an AFGE-backed bill into law, allowing union members to deduct their union dues on their state income taxes. 

Around the region

Left: President Forester testified before DC Council on Thursday regarding a new bill that would make substantial changes to the tipped minimum wage increase that DC passed last year. Right: Friends of the Earth workers ratified their first union contract on June 8. Congratulations, FOE workers and NPEU!

Share your news

Does your local have actions, events, open positions, or other updates you want labor leaders in DC and Maryland to know about? Submit news items to [email protected].

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