With the AFL-CIO headquarters building currently shut down, all Metro Washington Council and Community Services Agency staff are now teleworking and can be reached at the contact numbers and email addresses here.
Largest union of federal, D.C. workers calls for action to protect employees, residents from coronavirus
The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest union representing federal and D.C. government workers, on Friday called on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to take more aggressive steps to protect employees and the public from the coronavirus. “Mayor Bowser needs to conduct an assessment of what essential services are required for D.C. residents during this time of major emergency,” said Eric Bunn, national vice president for AFGE’s 14th District, which represents more than 20,000 D.C. and federal government employees.
Read more here.
Airline bailout must protect contracted workers, union says
While Airlines for America (A4A), the airlines’ lobbying group, has told Congress that they are seeking a bailout to avoid layoffs, thousands of airport workers are already being laid off and it could be just the tip of the iceberg. While working hours are being reduced and layoffs are rapidly increasing, thus far over 500 contracted cabin cleaner, skycap, baggage handler, lobby and ramp workers have been laid off at DC-area airports, reports 32BJ SEIU. “It’s not just corporations that need support, it’s contracted workers who are actually the ones on the front lines and lack both health and financial protections,” said Jaime Contreras, Vice President of 32BJ SEIU. Read more here.
TAKE ACTION HERE: Put Workers First in any Airline & Airport Bailout
Beware scams, OPC Urges
The Office of the People's Counsel for the District of Columbia (OPC) warns DC consumers that utility scams are active during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. These scams may come via phone, email, regular mail or even in person, says OPC, and the scammer may threaten disconnection if there is no payment. “Some scam calls even show up on your caller ID as if a utility is calling,” says OPC, “Be aware that a utility company will not disconnect your service without giving you a disconnection notice in advance.” The DC Council passed legislation Tuesday prohibiting electric, natural gas and water disconnections during this public health emergency. DO NOT share account or social security numbers, or any other personal information. If you suspect you have been scammed, call OPC at 202-727-3071; your call will be returned within 24 hours. You also can file a complaint about a scam or any other utility concerns online. Follow OPC on Twitter.
Today's Labor Quote: Coalition of Labor Union Women
“A woman’s place is in her union.”
The motto of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), founded on this date in 1974 in Chicago by some 3,000 delegates from 58 unions and other organization.
photo: 2018 Women's March, Washington, DC
Today's Labor History
This week’s Labor History Today podcast: COVID-19: An injury to one is the concern of all
Al Neal’s “Silent streets: Life halts, but not for all workers,” and Joe McCartin on “Class and the Challenge of COVID-19.” Plus Saul Schniderman and John O’Connor remember the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.
Last week’s show: The Great Postal Strike, Watergate and “Casey Jones, the Union Scab”
Trial of 101 Wobblies, charged with opposing the draft and hindering the war effort, begins in Chicago - 1918
Norris-La Guardia Act restricts injunctions against unions and bans yellow dog contracts, which require newly-hired workers to declare they are not union members and will not join one - 1932
Five days into the Post Office’s first mass work stoppage in 195 years, President Nixon declares a national emergency and orders 30,000 troops to New York City to break the strike. The troops didn’t have a clue how to sort and deliver mail: a settlement came a few days later - 1970 Click here for the Labor History Today podcast on The Great Postal Strike.
- David Prosten
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