by DC Jobs with Justice | Jan 27, 2022 | Actions & Events, Campaigns, Press, Projects, Wage Theft
Mayor Bowser and DCRA Say They Don’t Owe Public Any Explanation, Continue to Overlook Anti-Worker Practices at Power Design, Inc FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 27, 2022 DC Jobs with Justice (JwJ) began investigating Power Design, Inc. – a national electrical contractor – in 2017 after receiving numerous complaints from workers alleging wage theft. JwJ brought those complaints to the D.C. Office of the Attorney General which subsequently sued Power Design for failing to classify hundreds of its workers as employees and cheating them out of wages and benefits. The company settled and paid $2.75 million to workers and the District. Over the course of its wage investigation into Power Design, JwJ became aware of potential violations concerning electrical licensing laws. JwJ filed a complaint with DCRA’s Board of Industrial Trades (Board), alleging that the company had a practice of using unlicensed electrical subcontractors to perform electrical work in the District, putting residents, workers and the general public at risk. In February 2020, following a five-month investigation, DCRA issued a 145-page report, concluding that over the last five years, Power Design has hired at least seven unlicensed electrical contractors to perform work in the District of Columbia. Despite DCRA’s findings, the Board – without notice or explanation – summarily dismissed JwJ’s complaint. For nine months, JwJ repeatedly asked the Board and DCRA for an explanation, but received nothing but radio silence. The agency left JwJ with no other recourse than to sue the Mayor and DCRA because they are responsible for ensuring that the Board performs its statutory obligations. This week, Mayor Bowser and DCRA Director Chrappah responded to JwJ’s...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Dec 2, 2016 | Press, Projects
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, December 2, 2016 CONTACT: Ari Schwartz DC Jobs With Justice; ari@dcjwj.org or 202-674-3228 Community Organizations & Labor Leaders Call on Chairman Mendelson to Renounce “Moratorium” On the eve of a Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress, D.C. Council Chairman shockingly announces refusal to consider further progressive legislation. Washington, D.C. – Community organizations and labor unions applaud the news that the Universal Paid Leave Act will move to a vote in the D.C. Council on December 6th and look forward to it passing by the end of the year. But in announcing a revised proposal of the legislation on Tuesday, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson buried a brief and shocking statement at the end of his press release. Seemingly to placate businesses that “may be unhappy that this bill establishes a new tax on them,” the Chairman said he will “support a two-year moratorium on the adoption of similar bills, such as mandating scheduling requirements or nurse staffing ratios in hospitals.” Various community organizations and labor unions that advocate for and represent working people across the District were stunned and deeply concerned to see the Chairman make such an unprecedented statement. Elizabeth Falcon, Executive Director of DC Jobs With Justice, called Chairman Mendelson’s statement “the opposite of the leadership we need in this new era.” She said, “The Council will improve the lives of thousands of District residents when it passes Paid Family Leave. But that alone is not enough to have a good life in the District. Workers already face barriers to enough work, dignified working conditions, and opportunities for real careers. And what new issues...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jul 19, 2016 | About, Press
We are extremely pleased to announce that Ms. Elizabeth Falcon will be the next Executive Director of DC Jobs with Justice. For over a decade, Ms. Falcon has been a passionate advocate for social change in Washington, DC and across the Deep South, with a proven track record of running effective campaigns and maintaining strong coalitions. She is an experienced coalition leader who believes in the power of bringing people and organizations together. Throughout her career, she has led community partners to build consensus on strategic direction, developing effective campaigns such as the Housing For All Campaign and Save Our Safety Net. Under her leadership at Coalition for Non-Profit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED), the Housing for All campaign became a well-recognized force, with over 4,000 individual supporters and hundreds of participating organizations, winning over $300 million in affordable housing investments. As a result, she is a trusted partner with advocates, labor, and diverse communities across the District. We are thrilled to have Ms.Falcon join our team as the Executive Director. Her campaign planning skills, strong local relationships, and dedication to developing affected DC residents to lead campaigns will be critical as our organization moves into the future. Ms. Falcon officially starts at DC JWJ on August 15, 2016. Our current Executive Director, Nikki Lewis, will step down on August 31,...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Aug 6, 2014 | Actions & Events, Press
After Tito’s workers stood up against wage theft, massive amounts of unpaid overtime, and exploitation based on immigration status, their employer responded with illegal firings and by threatening to call ICE. Finally, after a year of organizing with International Union of Painters and Allied Trades they had their first hearing at the NLRB on those complaints on August 4, 2014. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Vice President of AFL-CIO Tefere Gebre and others joined the workers for a speakout today in front of the NLRB. DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton stated, “You have courage. Don’t lose it; you are going to win!” Tefere Gebre, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President said that “For every one of you there are tens of thousands of workers who are afraid to stand up. Keep on fighting, keep on working!” Thanks to DC Employment Justice Center, Washington DC Building and Construction Trades Council @National Guestworker Alliance Congress of Day Laborers/Congreso de Jornaleros, the delegation of New Orleans construction workers, and all our allies who joined us in solidarity with these workers! Everyone deserves just treatment, regardless of their...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jul 11, 2014 | Actions & Events, Minimum Wage Increase, Paid Sick And Safe Days, Press
On July 1st the coalition of workers, business owners, faith leaders, labor organizations and community groups came together to celebrate the increase in the minimum wage and the extended legislation of paid sick days that they worked so hard to pass through the City Council. The press conference was held in front of Flava @ Wa-zo-bia Restaurant. We had an incredible turnout from various press outlets and some of our own were highlighted. Check these out! NBC 4– “DC Minimum Wage Increase Begins”: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/New-Minimum-Wage-DC-Money-Wages-Pay-265381311.html Washington Post– “D.C. Minimum Wage Measures Won’t Make 2014 Ballot”: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/mike-debonis/wp/2014/07/01/d-c-minimum-wage-measures-unlikely-to-make-2014-ballot/ WNEW 99.1FM – “D.C.’s New Minimum Wage Goes Into Effect Today”: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/mike-debonis/wp/2014/07/01/d-c-minimum-wage-measures-unlikely-to-make-2014-ballot/ City Paper– “The Minimum Wage Will Increase Tomorrow in D.C.”: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2014/06/30/the-minimum-wage-will-increase-tomorrow-in-d-c/ In the Capital– “D.C.’s Minimum Wage Is Going to Increase on Tuesday”: http://inthecapital.streetwise.co/2014/06/30/minimum-wage-increase-dc-950-july-1/ CSN Washington– “D.C.’s New Minimum Wage: What to Know”: http://www.csnwashington.com/article/dcs-new-minimum-wage-what-know WJLA-ABC 7– “Minimum Wage Jumps to $9.50, Will Continue to Climb Until 2016”: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/07/d-c-minimum-wage-jumps-to-9-50-will-continue-to-climb-until-2016-104679.html Voice of Russia– “DC Rolls Out Annual Minimum Wage Increase”: http://voiceofrussia.com/us/2014_07_02/DC-Rolls-Out-Annual-Minimum-Wage-Increase-4077/ Telemundo– “Aumentan Salario Mínimo en D.C.”: http://www.holaciudad.com/aumentan-salario-minimo-dc-n461774 Washington Hispanic– “Minimum Wage Hike, a Triumph for Washington DC”: http://www.washingtonhispanic.com/nota18350.html WYTV– “States, Including Ohio, Debate Minimum Wage”:...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jul 9, 2014 | Actions & Events, Minimum Wage Increase, Paid Sick And Safe Days, Press
On July 1st the coalition of workers, business owners, faith leaders, labor organizations and community groups came together to celebrate the increase in the minimum wage and the extended legislation of paid sick days that they worked so hard to pass through the City Council. The press conference was held in front of Flava @ Wa-zo-bia Restaurant. Speakers included D.C. workers, Joslyn Williams, President of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO; Elissa Silverman, former policy analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, Rev. Graylan Hagler from Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, and Monica Kamen from Jews United for Justice. We had a great press turnout and a great turnout of supporters! Thank you to all the speakers, the workers, and everyone who came to support DC worker’s rights! Thank you to all the people that stayed to canvass the neighborhood after the press conference to ensure that workers are fully aware of these rights. Check out the rest of the photos of this event on our Facebook...
