The Wydown Coffee Bar abruptly closes amidst union drive
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Workers at The Wydown Coffee Bar began the process of unionizing with Workers United Mid-Atlantic Regional Joint Board in April, and just last week leaders of the effort announced that an election date had been set for June 10.
Last night, without warning, Wydown's owners abruptly closed the company and laid off all employees. "I stopped by The Wydown on H Street this morning to show my support for the workers and what has always been a great place to grab a coffee or meet up with neighbors," Councilmember Charles Allen posted on social media. "If the owners have closed both shops to avoid a vote by workers to organize, it’s the wrong move plain and simple."
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Top: Wydown workers rallied on May Day earlier this month. Bottom: A sign from this morning's picket reads "Wydown fired 30 workers last night instead of allowing a union election."
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Glenstone museum workers move to unionize
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Nearly 100 hourly employees at Glenstone, the Montgomery County art museum, are moving to unionize with Glenstone Museum Workers United under the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 639. The unit would include nearly half the workers at the museum. “It’s such an innovative institution in so many ways. And I think that this is an important next step in the life and livelihood and longevity of the institution.” Read more »
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Sign on to a letter supporting WMATA workers
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Our brothers and sisters at ATU Local 689 are involved in high-stakes contract negotiations with WMATA this year. Before negotiations even began, WMATA CEO Randy Clarke unveiled a plan to freeze wages in order to balance the budget. The Council has drafted a letter to Mr. Clarke calling on WMATA not to balance the budget on the backs of workers.
ATU Local 689 is asking Affiliates to sign on to this letter in solidarity with WMATA workers. Add your union's name to the letter.
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Hiring Hall:
Union jobs in the DC region
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Left: Congratulations to the Coalition of Labor Union Women on 50 years of building power and community for women in the labor movement! CLUW celebrated with AFL-CIO's President Liz Shuler in Niagara last week. Right: Members of IAFF Local 26 from Engine 2, Rescue 1 Platoon 4, Engine 6, and Truck 4 paid respects last week to DCFD's Lt. Kevin A. McRae who died in the line of duty on May 6, 2015.
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