Thank a union!

Dear Ward 5 neighbors, 

On Monday, the District will celebrate Labor Day. The holiday is a reminder of the power of workers coming together and organizing for labor rights, better working conditions, equitable pay, and more. If you plan to enjoy this long weekend, thank a union!

Last year, I joined the picket line with workers from UNITE HERE Local 22 as they faced mistreatment from the Intercontinental Hotel and the sudden loss of their jobs. Now, more than a year later, Attorney General Brian Schwalb has secured $186,000 for those restaurant workers and DC to “resolve allegations that it failed to provide accurate, honest, timely, and transparent compensation policies…leaving staff vulnerable to exploitation.” Unions help organize workers to confront mistreatment and unjust practices in the workplace, and this recent victory is a reminder of the power of union efforts.

Two other local unions—the Washington Teachers Union and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689—are currently organizing on issues for their combined tens of thousands of members. Teachers in the WTU started the school year earlier this week without a new contract as negotiations with DC Public Schools have continued for months. Transit workers in the ATU Local 689—who could be facing layoffs as the District phases out the Circulator bus—are calling on the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to make a clear transition plan for these workers and the bus lines they have kept running to be absorbed into WMATA. 

These are just a few close-to-home reminders of the importance of unions and of this holiday. I am proud to support our unions and all they achieve for workers across DC and beyond. Of course, District government services will be modified in recognition of Labor Day and into the rest of next week. You can read a full list of modified services at this link, but here’s a quick run-down: 

• The final day of operation for the Langdon Park Pool will be on Monday, September 2 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Pools and splash parks officially close for the season after Labor Day. View all outdoor pool schedules here and spray park schedules here.
• The Department of Public Works (DPW) will not collect household trash and recycling on Monday, September 2. Collections will “slide” one day for the rest of the week into Saturday.
• All parking enforcement will be suspended on Monday, September 2, except for Streetcar ticketing and towing.
• DC Circulator routes will operate on a normal schedule. Metrobus will operate on a Sunday schedule, and Metrorail will operate on a Sunday holiday schedule from 7:00 a.m. – midnight.
• DC Public Library neighborhood locations and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library will be closed on Monday, September 2. Remember, the library is always open online at dclibrary.org. 
• DC Public Schools will be closed on Monday, September 2.
• Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) recreation centers, community centers, and indoor aquatic centers will be closed on Monday, September 2.   

As I shared last week, please mark your calendar for September 22, Ward 5 Day! This annual celebration of our community will take place at the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 22, and I hope to see you there. 

Help gear up for Ward 5 Day, and Ward 5 Week (September 16-21), by joining me for Ward Days at Nationals Park on Thursday, September 12 at 6:45 p.m.! We have a limited number of free tickets for Ward 5 neighbors to come enjoy the Nationals game as they take on the Miami Marlins. Click here or on the image below to request tickets!