[mgj-discuss] FW: UNION CITY: Sterling Laundry Workers Win!

[Mark Rickling]

From: "Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO" <streetheat at dclabor.org>

A NewsFlash
from the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO

April 7, 2004

A 7-month strike ended in victory yesterday when Sterling
Laundry workers in Washington, DC won union recognition and a
first contract.

A vigorous and successful pressure campaign by the workers and
their supporters to deny Sterling local laundering contracts
paid off when Sterling finally agreed to a "card check", which
allowed Sterling employees to demonstrate their interest in
joining UNITE by showing that a majority had signed union cards.

Since winning union recognition last week, UNITE has negotiated
a three-year labor agreement with Sterling, providing workers
with a pension plan, free individual and family health coverage,
and the largest wage increase in company history. The agreement
was ratified yesterday by Sterling workers, who return to work
next week and join the more than 2,300 other industrial laundry
workers who are protected by UNITE contracts in the Mid-Atlantic
Region.

"Sterling workers have won meaningful wage and benefit
increases," said Harold Bock, UNITE's Mid-Atlantic Regional
Director. "The protection of contract language will lead to
essential improvements in health and safety on the job. UNITE
will continue to fight to organize new members until all
industrial laundry workers in the Mid-Atlantic enjoy the
security of a union contract."

Added Metro Washington Council President Jos Williams, "This
resounding victory by laundry workers adds to the unstoppable
momentum for social justice in our community that we witnessed
in the recent supermarket workers campaign. Solidarity,
persistence and creativity work!"

Sterling Laundry is a local business that provides industrial
laundry and dry-cleaning service to hospitals, hotels, and
federal agencies in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and
Maryland. Prominent customers include Greater Southeast
Community Hospital, the Churchill Hotel, Bolling Air Force Base,
and Fort Myer Military Community.

UNITE, AFL-CIO, CLC represents 40,000 industrial laundry
workers. Known for organizing and defense of workers rights,
UNITE represents more than 200,000 workers in the United States
and Canada.

Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any
recipient; please credit the Council as the
source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO
"Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200
affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members.
JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports,
Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome,
subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed
to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
mailto:streetheat at dclabor.org
Voice: 202-857-3410
Fax: 202-857-3420
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