Ahead of Labor Day, Elfreth Reconvenes Local Labor Leaders
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Yesterday, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), a member of the Labor Caucus, hosted her annual roundtable discussion with labor leaders in Maryland’s Third District at the Maryland State & DC AFL-CIO. This was the second annual convening since the Congresswoman first took office last year.
“As a proud member of the Labor Caucus and daughter of a union rail worker, I know firsthand the hard-fought protections, rights, and dignity that unions have secured for working families across this country,” said Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth. “I reconvened this roundtable to hear directly from our Third District union leaders as to how we can best support their members and workers across Maryland. Especially as this Administration deepens the affordability crisis, attacks collective bargaining rights, and strips back commonsense worker safety regulations, it is all the more important to stand with our brothers and sisters in organized labor in the fight for workers’ rights on the job.”
At the roundtable, Elfreth delivered an update from Congress, including progress on NDAA amendments and other legislative initiatives to restore the collective bargaining rights of hardworking federal employees and expedite the process of securing labor contracts. The roundtable was an opportunity to hear directly from the representatives of the over 340,000 union workers across the state and 45,000 federal employees in the District. In addition to collective bargaining, the conversation focused on federal funding cuts, healthcare, affordability, and workplace safety for rail, maritime, and emergency responders.
Elfreth was joined by various labor unions from across Maryland’s Third District, including the Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO, Maryland State Education Association (MSEA), Carroll County Education Association (CCEA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 500 and 32BJ, Howard County International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 2000, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 24 and Local 26, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 487, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1300, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) DC51, the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MISTAG), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Maryland Council 3, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Chapter 1734, Laborers’ International Union of North America, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Maritime Officers, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen - B&O, and the Baltimore-DC Building Trades Council.
“SEIU Local 500 is eager to join Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth alongside our labor partners to discuss the real issues facing Maryland workers. As a state legislator, she was a labor champion. In the face of rising costs and attacks on labor rights by the current administration, we are glad to have her in the United States Congress championing the needs of working people,” said Christopher Cano, Director of Political & Legislative Affairs, SEIU Local 500.
“As an association dedicated to federal workers and retirees, NARFE appreciates Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth’s work to protect the merit-based civil service system and our earned benefits. We pledge to stand with her to fight ongoing threats to public health, food safety, worker rights, and the myriad ways in which the federal workforce protects and enhances the lives of all Americans,” said Teresa Baker, First Vice President, NARFE Maryland Federation.
“IATSE Local 487 is proud to attend this AFL CIO roundtable discussion with Congresswoman Elfreth. Being given the opportunity to discuss the state of the film & television industry in the US, and more specifically the Mid-Atlantic region, allows our skilled craftworkers a voice in how we can bring back the work that supports our families and local industries in Maryland. Our hope is that this conversation highlights the vital importance of a national tax incentive and legislative support for the I.A.T.S.E. workforce—the skilled craftworkers whose labor powers the entertainment industry,” said Vice President Steve Saada, IATSE Local 487.
“Congresswoman Elfreth has been a longtime advocate for Maryland’s firefighters. Her accessibility and commitment to our members are unmatched, whether making time to meet with our leaders in her office on Capitol Hill or visiting local fire stations. Most recently, she co-sponsored H.R. 1269, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, which extends federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefits to the families of firefighters who die from occupational cancer,” said Adam Nolder, Vice President of IAFF Local 2000.
“The issues that are top of mind for our union today include the Administration’s Jones Act waiver, which is giving American maritime jobs to foreign seafarers while doing nothing to lower gas prices,” said MM&P President Captain Don Josberger. “We are also advocating strongly on Capitol Hill for passage of the Faster Labor Contracts Act, which would ensure that unscrupulous companies cannot indefinitely hinder workers’ legal right to form a union.”
“Public services from our state and local governments, and the public service workers who make them happen, are more important now than ever. Right now, workers face significant challenges on the job, and our union appreciates the partnership and collaboration with Congresswoman Elfreth to ensure public service workers have a voice in Congress fighting for them,” said President Jack Hughes, AFSCME Maryland Council 3.
“Working people deserve more than a seat at the table, they deserve to be heard when decisions are being made about their jobs, their safety, and their future. The men and women of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen keep our railroads moving safely every day, in Maryland and across this country, and their experience must be part of the conversation. We thank Congresswoman Elfreth for bringing labor leaders together and, most importantly, for listening directly to the workers we represent. This roundtable is an important step in building a strong partnership, and we look forward to working with the Congresswoman to protect railroad workers, strengthen safety, and ensure that working families remain at the center of the policies coming out of Washington," said John Heise, General Chairman, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen - Baltimore & Ohio.
As the daughter of two civil servants and the representative of over 45,000 federal employees, Congresswoman Elfreth has been laser-focused on protecting and advancing the rights of workers and civil servants. Elfreth has voted in favor of numerous bills to ensure workers receive the benefits they deserve, including the Faster Labor Contracts Act to speed up the process for workers to secure labor contracts and the Protect America’s Workforce Act (PAWA) to repeal a presidential executive order that stripped union rights from 1.5 million federal workers. She has also spoken out in support of legislation like the Railroad Retirement Fairness Act to eliminate provisions that unfairly reduce retirement payments for certain railroad retirees and spouses. On the House Armed Services Committee, Elfreth has fought for civilian DoD civil servants and proudly supported Congressman Donald Norcross’ amendment in each year’s annual defense bill to restore the collective bargaining rights that the President’s executive order stripped.
###