TODAY'S LABOR CALENDAR; click here for complete and latest listings
Union City Radio: 7:15am daily
WPFW-FM 89.3 FM; click here to hear today's report Navigating the Future of Work in the Age of Pandemics and Social Movements: Wed, January 26, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Register here.
Research webinar: “Worker Surveys: A Strategic Organizing Tool”: Wed, January 26, 2pm – 3pm
A Discussion On Cervical Cancer: Wed, January 26, 6pm – 7pm Presented by the Metro DC CLUW (Coalition of Labor Union Women) chapter.
Fairfax County Dems Labor Caucus: Wed, January 26, 7pm – 8pm
Rally for George Mason University Janitors: Thu, January 27, 12pm – 1pm Merten Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA
Arlington Dems Labor Caucus: Thu, January 27, 6pm – 7pm
Union City Radio: Your Rights at Work: Thu, January 27, 1pm – 2pm
WPFW 89.3 FM or listen online.
GUESTS: Erica Smiley and Sarita Gupta, co-authors of the upcoming new book, The Future We Need.
FILM: With Babies and Banners (with filmmaker Lyn Goldfarb): Thu, January 27, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
FREE (online screening); RSVP here.
Pride at Work: Thu, January 27, 7:15pm – 8:15pm
Coalition to Repeal Right to Work: Fri, January 28, 7pm – 8pm |
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“Quitting in droves”
In the eight years she’s worked at nursing homes, LaToya Francis, 34, – a member of 1199SEIU Maryland/DC – has been yelled at, kicked at and had feces thrown at her for little more than the minimum wage. She endured it because she loved being a certified nursing assistant. But she’s not sure she can hold out much longer. That’s the lede for Rebecca Tan’s excellent story in last Friday’s Washington Post about how low-wage nursing home workers here and across the country, essential but underpaid and overworked, are “quitting in droves.” Says Francis, “I’ve never, ever felt this disrespected.”
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MWC meeting highlights
Metro Washington Labor Council delegates last night approved the Council’s 2022 budget, newly-elected Prince George County Council District 8 member Ed Burroughs thanked the Metro Council for “pulling out all the stops” over the holidays to help him win his primary, and MWC Executive Board nominations were postponed until the newly-appointed Election Committee can meet, resolve some outstanding issues and establish the election schedule (details will be sent directly to delegates and affiliates). MWC president also introduced new Political/Legislative Director Dejah Williams, who pledged to work to ensure that “the rights of workers are at the forefront of municipal, county, state and federal legislation.”
In other meeting highlights, the following locals reported: OPEIU 2: Mike Spiller reported that Local 2 is now negotiating nine first contracts for shops organized in last nine months, plus there are three more ongoing campaigns and the local expects to announce a major national campaign soon. “All via Zoom,” Spiller reported. “It’s different but it works.” Workers United: Chris Townsend reported that WU has just filed for elections at four area Starbucks (three in VA and one in MD) and expects to be filing for more DC-area locations soon. “Use ‘Union Yes’ as your name when you order your coffee,” Townsend said. ATU 689: Greg Bowen said the local is finishing contract negotiations for two new employers and also involved in a couple new organizing campaigns “that’ll hopefully have some positive results in a few months.”
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Today’s Labor Quote: Yvonne Slosarski
“We know what actually retains workers: It’s more pay, more leave and safer working conditions.”
1199SEIU Maryland/DC's Slosarski, in The Washington Post's story on why area nursing home workers are quitting.
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Today's Labor History
This week’s Labor History Today podcast: MLK at the AFL-CIO in 1961. Last week's show: Who was Zelda D’Aprano?
January 26
In what could be considered the first workers’ compensation agreement in America, pirate Henry Morgan pledges his underlings 600 pieces of eight or six slaves to compensate for a lost arm or leg. Also part of the pirate’s code, reports Roger Newell: shares of the booty were equal regardless of race or sex, and shipboard decisions were made collectively. - 1695
Samuel Gompers, first AFL president, born in London, England. He emigrated to the U.S. as a youth - 1850
Workers win a two-day sitdown strike at the Brooklyn electric plant that powers the city's entire subway system - 1937
January 27 New York City maids organize to improve working conditions – 1734
Kansas miners strike against compulsory arbitration - 1920
A group of Detroit African-American auto workers known as the Eldon Avenue Axle Plant Revolutionary Union Movement leads a wildcat strike against racism and bad working conditions. They are critical of both automakers and the UAW, condemning the seniority system and grievance procedures as racist - 1969
- David Prosten.
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Hiring Hall: DC-area union jobs, plus click here for more listings! |
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Information Tech
Data Systems Assistant Administrator – Data, Analytics & Infrastructure Department, AFL-CIO, based in Washington, DC [Headquarters] (Posted: 1/25/2022) District of Columbia
Data Specialist – Membership, CWA, based in Washington, DC (Posted: 1/19/2022)
Network Support Administrator I, UFCW, based in Washington, DC (Posted: 1/25/2022) District of Columbia
Legal
Union-Side Attorneys, Wentz, McInerney, Peifer and Petroff, LLC, relocation to Columbus, OH preferred (but not necessarily required) (Posted: 1/24/2022)
Misc
Senior Meeting Planner – Meetings and Travel Department, AFL-CIO, based in Washington, DC [Headquarters] (Posted: 1/19/2022) District of Columbia
Assistant Director of Growth Strategies – Economic Growth and Development Hub, AFL-CIO, based in Washington, DC [Headquarters] (Posted: 1/19/2022) District of Columbia
Manager of Philanthropic Partnerships – Educational Issues Department, AFT, based in Washington, DC (Posted: 1/19/2022) District of Columbia
Regional Project Coordinator – Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, CDM (Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc.), based out of Baltimore, MD (working remotely within Virginia, Maryland, or Delaware will also be considered) (Posted: 1/24/2022)
Deputy Director for Racial Justice and Leadership – BOLD Center, SEIU, based in Washington, DC (Posted: 1/20/2022) District of Columbia
Women Innovating Labor Leadership – WILL Empower Apprenticeship Program, based in Washington, DC (Posted: 1/21/2022)
ARPA Coordinator, VEA, based in Richmond, VA (Posted: 1/24/2022) Virginia
Organizing
Organizing Institute Assistant Director – Economic Power and Growth Hub, AFL-CIO, based in Washington, DC [Headquarters] (Posted: 1/19/2022) District of Columbia
Organizer, AFT, remote position (Posted: 1/19/2022)
Political
Assistant Political Director – Member Political Programs, SEIU, based in Washington, DC (remote) (Posted: 1/21/2022)
Research
Research Associate, International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC) (1/25)
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Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. DYANA FORESTER, PRESIDENT.
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