SEIU's 2024 International Convention has been underway in Philadelphia this week, bringing together more than 3,500 SEIU members to build power as a movement. DC-area locals and Council Affiliates 1199SEIU and 32BJ SEIU have been in Philadelphia this week to be part of making history. On Monday SEIU members elected April Verrett as the union's new president. Verrett is the former President of SEIU Local 2015, California’s largest union local. She succeeds Mary Kay Henry who served as president for 14 years. "We are thrilled to have April Verrett as the new President of our SEIU family," 32BJ SEIU posted on social media. "With April at the helm, we recommit ourselves to fighting for unions for all working people, fair wages, better working conditions, and economic and racial justice." U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau both joined the convention this week as featured speakers. And this morning, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler joined President Verrett, SEIU's newly elected Secretary Treasurer Rocío Sáenz, and National Domestic Workers Alliance's Ai-jen Poo to discuss building a diverse, multiracial movement to grow worker power. Tell REI to bargain a fair contract
May 29: Fire Fighter's Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony
Hiring Hall: Union jobs in the DC region
On June 4, voters in DC will have the opportunity to vote for two champions for working families and workers' rights on the DC Council. The Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO is proud to announce our endorsements of the following DC candidates in the June 4 primary:
In addition to the regularly scheduled primary on June 4, recall campaigns against Councilmembers in Ward 1 and Ward 6 are currently in the signature collection process. The Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO strongly opposes both DC recall campaigns and encourages all voters to reject the recalls. "The DC COPE committee unanimously opposes the recall effort against Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau and Charles Allen," said Herbert Harris Jr, DC COPE Co-Chair and State Representative – DC, of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. "Councilmembers Nadeau and Allen have proven through their tenure on the Council to being committed to DC residents, and are working diligently every day in the interest of the people of the District of Columbia." "These recall campaigns are a dark-money, underhanded attempt to undermine democracy in the District of Columbia," Harris added. "Union members in Wards 1 and 6 should carefully read and not sign any recall petitions.” Endorsement ProcessIn April 2024 the DC Committee on Political Education (COPE) sent questionnaires to all candidates for DC Council. See all the responses to our 2024 candidate questionnaires.
Candidates who submitted questionnaire responses were invited to participate in in-person interviews with DC COPE members. Based on both questionnaires and interviews, the committee chairs presented recommendations to the Delegates at the May 20, 2024 Delegates meeting. At last night's meeting Delegates voted to accept the recommendations. The Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO unites over 150 union locals who represent more than 150,000 workers in every industry in Washington DC and five counties in Maryland. Together we advocate, educate, and organize to improve the lives of all working people in the DC region. We look forward to working in solidarity with our Affiliate unions to support our endorsed candidates between now and June 4, and to oppose the recall efforts later this year.
"Earlier this month, Washingtonian recognized President McGarvey as one of DC’s most influential people," North America's Building Trades Unions similarly posted on social media. "While this is an honor, he says it wouldn’t be possible without his staff, and that Washington-Baltimore News Guild members should should be offered the respect + fair contract they deserve from CEO Merrill Williams."
Upcoming Events
Around the RegionAbove: Congratulations to our siblings at Northern Virginia State, AFL-CIO for a fantastic Labor Dinner this past weekend that honored 32BJ SEIU and Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton.
Glenstone museum workers move to unionize
Sign on to a letter supporting WMATA workersOur 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. Hiring Hall: Union jobs in the DC region
Around the RegionLeft: 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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