Wednesday, August 18, 2010
FENTY URGED TO BOOT LAX SECURITY COMPANY: SEIU Local 32BJ is urging DC Mayor Adrian Fenty to boot the security company contracted by the Distr
ict to guard government buildings, schools and public arenas. U.S. Security failed tests in which inspectors were able to sneak weapons through checkpoints, reported The Washington Post on Sunday. "D.C. taxpayers pay U.S. Security more than $40 million dollars a year to protect our schools and city buildings," says SEIU 32BJ, "but the company is not making the grade. The Fenty Administration should put U.S. Security's contracts out to bid." The local represents 1,500 private security officers who safeguard District offices and educational institutions. In May, reported the Post, "U.S. Security Associates, based in Roswell, GA., had eight weapons violations and 12 other infractions that resulted in up to $3,560 in fines for the firm and its subcontractor, Watkins Security." With the company still the security contractor at more than 76 schools and municipal buildings, Local 32BJ is concerned that U.S. Security's actions threaten to undermine the union's work with "responsible security contractors and elected officials to raise industry standards and improve life for security officers in DC," says Jaime Contreras, 32BJ Capital Area Director. "DC taxpayers and our kids deserve reliable protection at our public buildings and schools." Click here to urge Fenty to take action. - Chris Garlock
DC LABORERS WELCOME RETURN TO AFL-CIO: “We’ve been with the Metro Council all along,” said Laborers 657 Business Manager 
Anthony Frederick (center) after Monday’s announcement that the Laborers (LIUNA) are re-affiliating with the AFL-CIO. “Now we can all act as one. United, we’re big,” Frederick added, “divided, we’re small.” LIUNA disaffiliated from the AFL-CIO in June 2006, but continued to organize much of its political efforts through the AFL-CIO. Saying that “now is the moment for a unified labor movement,” AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka said that “Together, brick by brick, we will build an economy that works for everyone.”
– photo: Laborers 657 joined District residents and labor allies to rally for healthcare reform on Capitol Hill in August, 2009; photo by Adam Wright
HOLT-BAKER TO JOIN HOTEL WORKERS AT BANK OF AMERICA DEMO: AF
L-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt-Baker will join more than one hundred hotel workers and labor allies at today’s 5P demonstration outside Bank of America to demand that the bank “honor the taxpayers’ generous bailout of their company and protect hotel jobs,” reports UNITE HERE. “Columbia Sussex, the company that owns the union Hilton Crystal City and Baltimore Sheraton, expanded by taking out loans from eager lenders like Bank of America,” says DC Jobs with Justice. “Now Bank of America is about to take over $1 billion in loans for 14 hotels due to ‘imminent default.’ The transfer puts into question the future of 1,700 workers at these 14 hotels.” Click here for details.
TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY: Radio station WEVD, named for Eugene V. Debs (l), goes on the air in New York City, operated by The Forward Association as a memorial to the labor and socialist leader (1927); Founding of the American Federation of Government Employees, following a decision by the National Federation of Federal Employees (later to become part of the Intl. Assn. of Machinists) to leave the AFL (1932); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services. - photo courtesy Library of Congress
HIRING HALL WEEKLY ROUND UP
Click here for full details & complete union jobs postings from the past month. Email streetheat@dclabor.org to post an opening!
COMMUNICATIONS
Development & Communications Associate (8/17)
Jews United For Justice
MISC
Meeting & Travel Technician (8/17)
AFSCME
Project Coordinator (8/17)
SEIU
POLITICAL
Political Department Intern (8/17)
SEIU
RESEARCH
Strategic Researchers and Campaigners (8/17)
AFL-CIO
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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.
Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:
Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152
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