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 | Jun 29, 2014 | Actions & Events
More than 10% of local DC cab drivers were in the streets on June 25 with the Teamsters to express frustrations at unfair regulations. http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2014/06/teamster-taxi-drivers-get-washingtons.html The regulations applied to their industry (to protect drivers and riders) are not required of Uber/Lyft/Sidecar, giving them a big advantage. Last year, the city gave the services an extension to operate until regulations were in place.The extension ended several months ago but the city failed to enact fair regulations. Taxi drivers are not against these services,Teamsters are even trying to organize Uber and Lyft drivers in California and Seattle. Drivers simply want to be on the same playing field.Roughly 1,000 cabs lined the street in front of the City Council and many supporters gathered in Freedom Plaza. Union President Ferline Buie delivered a letter to City Hall making the case that the rules governing online cab services were unfair to traditional drivers. Taxi drivers have protested across the country and now Washington needs to take its taxi drivers...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jun 17, 2014 | Actions & Events
On Thursday, June 12th, DC Jobs with Justice hosted the 12th annual I’ll Be There Awards to honor Reverend Graylan Hagler, Alya Solomon, Trabajadores Unidos, and Sasha Bruce Youthwork for their incredible leadership for workers’ rights and economic justice in DC. More than 200 people attended the Awards, held at the AFL-CIO. Food was provided by UFCW Local 400, and drinks were sponsored by DC Building Trades. Courtney Dowe graced the audience with an incredible performance. The event was very successful, and DC JwJ is grateful to everyone who came out to the event or supported our efforts through donations. Thank you to the “I’ll Be There” Awards Host Committee and the DC JwJ Executive Committee for all their hard...
