Black workers have always been a crucial part of the fight for justice in the labor movement. From organizing the meatpacking industry to the Pullman strike to striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Black history is America’s history — and it’s America’s labor history, too.

This month, AFL-CIO is celebrating great labor leaders like A. Philip Randolph, Hattie Canty, Bayard Rustin, Arlene Holt Baker and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who won historic victories for Black working people. The Civil, Human and Women’s Rights Department has put together a list of recommended reads for the month, and they've made it easy support Black authors and to buy union-made too. See the full list with links to buy from union booksellers »

The University of Maryland Graduate Labor Union, organizing with United Auto Workers, are working to unionize "in order to improve our research, teaching, and employment. Our work not only benefits UMD and the Maryland economy, but also has positive impacts worldwide."

Earlier today UMD Graduate Labor Union supporters rallied in Annapolis to demand collective bargaining »

Federal employees earn 27.5% less on average than they would doing the same jobs in the private sector – and that situation has been getting worse for years. That’s why AFGE supports legislation introduced last week that would help close the pay gap between the federal and private sectors by providing federal employees with a 7.4% pay raise next year. 

Apprenticeships + Fellowships

LCLAA designed its Trabajadoras Fellowship to empower Latina workers with the information it takes to improve working conditions and organize fellow Latina workers. This six-month program prepares Fellows to promote gender equality, engage in coalition building, participate and coordinate civic engagement efforts, as well as to raise awareness regarding Latina worker priorities, including closing the gender, ethnic and racial wage gap. Learn more and apply »

Hiring Hall: 
Union jobs in the DC region

AFL-CIO: Data Assistant (3 positions)
AFL-CIO: Safety and Health Fellow
AFL-CIO: Associate General Counsel
AFL-CIO: Strategic Researchers and Organizers
AFGE: Customer Service Representative

AFSCME: Network Analyst I (2 Positions)

Amalgamated Transit Union: Accounting Assistant
American Federation of Teachers: National Representative I-IV
Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund: Policy Counsel/Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Counsel/Analyst
Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund: Managing Director of Policy
American Federation of Teachers: National Representative I-IV
American Postal Workers Union: Legislative Project Specialist
International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Capital Markets Analyst
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades: Research Coordinator
Jobs With Justice: Development Coordinator
League of Conservation Voters: Government Affairs Advocate, Conservation
Maryland State Education Association: UniServ Director, Eastern Shore
National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians: Staff Representative
National Education Association: Chief Financial Officer
National Nurses United: Greater DC Area Labor Representative
National Nurses United: Legislative Advocate
National Nurses United: Political Organizer
SEIU CIR: New Organizer
SEIU CIR: Lead New Organizer
SEIU Local 32BJ: Lead Organizer
SEIU Local 32BJ: Organizer
SEIU Local 32BJ: Grievance Representative
Strategic Organizing Center: Digital Associate
Solidarity Center: Program Officer II
Solidarity Center: Campaign and Media Communications Officer
UFCW: Executive Secretary, National Bargaining Department
Virginia Education Association: Racial and Social Justice Grant Coordinator

Evening with Labor 2024

Do you know an outstanding individual or organization in the labor movement who went above and beyond last year? Nominations are now open for the 2024 Evening with Labor Awards! Nominate someone for this year's awards: 

Stay connected

Want your union's work to be featured in this newsletter? Apply to become an Affiliate of the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO.