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 15, 2014 | Actions & Events, Ban the Box, Campaigns, Wage Theft
On Monday, July 14th, the D.C. Council voted on two key pieces of legislation that will strengthen rights for all workers in DC. The Fair Criminal Records Screening Act (also known as “Ban the Box”) will begin to remove barriers to gainful employment for returning citizens or people with arrest records by prohibiting questions about a person’s criminal record on employment applications. The Wage Theft Prevention Act will overhaul wage and hour enforcement in D.C. by creating formal hearings and increased penalties for employers who do not pay their workers what they promise or what DC law requires. DC workers and community members from the Ban the Box and Wage Theft Coalitions held a brief rally before the vote. Both laws passed unanimously! This is a truly monumental day for ALL workers in DC. Thank you ALL for the support you gave to get these laws passed! And congratulations to all those who fought for this...
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...
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...
