| Thursday, August 5, 2010
GRAY UNVEILS JOB CREATION STRATEGY: Saying that “too many people in this city are wondering where their next pay check is coming from,” labor-endorsed candidate for DC Mayor Vince Gray rolled out a comprehen sive economic development plan Wednesday for the District to attract businesses and create jobs. “Unfortunately, for the last three and a half years, the administration has operated with no economic development strategy, and has virtually ignored unemployment,” said Gray. “For too long, the city has had a haphazard approach to job training and readiness, with existing programs having little or no accountability for their preparation or their connection of residents to the workforce.” Gray outlined eight key principals for his economic plan, including making the District’s workforce development initiatives a top priority and convening a DC Economic Development Task Force and Jobs Summit to take place before he takes office. “As Mayor, it will be one of my top priorities to develop a real strategy for creating jobs in every part of the District.”
– report/photo by Adam Wright
HOME CARE PROVIDERS RATIFY FIRST CONTRACT: About 4,500 independent home care providers in Maryland now have a contract that will “help improve the conditions of their work and the services t hey offer,” reports AFSCME Council 67. The three-year agreement – which was ratified in July – increases provider rates and sets up a state-provider cooperation committee to address health and safety concerns, improve and extend professional development and other conditions affecting providers. “We have worked diligently to negotiate a contract that demands respect for our time and respect for our work.” says home care provider Tijuana Miller, a member of the bargaining team. “We are some of the lowest-wage workers in Maryland and yet we are the core of the community. Now, we have the opportunity to receive better wages and training opportunities and we can negotiate the things we want in our workplace.” AFSCME Council 67 Executive Director Glen Middleton says, “It has been long overdue. The providers, who offer essential services to the citizens of Maryland, finally have a voice in the workplace just like other workers. They deserve to be treated fairly.” Click here for the full story on AFSCME Council 67’s website.
– photo courtesy AFSCME Council 67
TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY: Using clubs, police route 1,500 jobless men who had stormed the plant of the Fruit Growers Express Co. in Indiana Harbor, Indiana, demanding jobs (1931); The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) took effect today. The first law signed by President Clinton (r), it allows many workers time off each year due to serious health conditions or to care for a family member (1993); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services.
- photo courtesy Timelines, Inc.
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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. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.
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