DC-area SEIU locals join international convention, elect new president

SEIU's 2024 International Convention has been underway in Philadelphia this week, bringing together more than 3,500 SEIU members to build power as a movement. DC-area locals and Council Affiliates 1199SEIU and 32BJ SEIU have been in Philadelphia this week to be part of making history.

On Monday SEIU members elected April Verrett as the union's new president. Verrett is the former President of SEIU Local 2015, California’s largest union local. She succeeds Mary Kay Henry who served as president for 14 years.

"We are thrilled to have April Verrett as the new President of our SEIU family," 32BJ SEIU posted on social media. "With April at the helm, we recommit ourselves to fighting for unions for all working people, fair wages, better working conditions, and economic and racial justice."

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau both joined the convention this week as featured speakers. And this morning, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler joined President Verrett, SEIU's newly elected Secretary Treasurer Rocío Sáenz, and National Domestic Workers Alliance's Ai-jen Poo to discuss building a diverse, multiracial movement to grow worker power.

Tell REI to bargain a fair contract

This week is REI's biggest sale of the year and REI Union (organizing with UFCW and RWDSU) is asking co-op members and shoppers across the country to let the Board of Directors know they don't want union busting. Sign the petition and demand that REI Leadership negotiate a contract in good faith by the end of this year.

UFCW Local 400 members gathered petition signatures outside REI in DC.

May 29: Fire Fighter's Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony

"The District of Columbia Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 36, AFL-CIO, cordially invites you to its annual Fire Fighters' Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 9:30 AM at the intersection of Cherry Road NE and Banneker Drive. NE. A brunch following the ceremony will be held at Teamsters Local 639."

Hiring Hall:
Union jobs in the DC region

• AFL-CIO: Temporary Special Assistant for Political Operations
• AFL-CIO: Temporary Data Assistant (3 Positions)
• AFL-CIO: Senior Office Administrator
• Association of Flight Attendants: Staff Attorney / Staff Negotiator
• AFSCME: Workforce Development Advocate I/II/III
• Concerted Action: Office and Marketing Assistant
• Good Jobs First: Research Director
• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades: Deputy Communications Director
• Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals: Executive Director
• National Treasury Employees Union: Deputy Director of Operations
• Strategic Organizing Center: Administrative Assistant
• Solidarity Center: Payroll Accountant II
• The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada: Secretary I, Cash Sheet Operator

Stay connected

Submit news items to [email protected].

Want your union's work to be featured in this newsletter? Apply to become an Affiliate of the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO.