Members from many MTD affiliates helped raise more than $16,000 for the Metro Washington (DC) Council, AFL-CIO’s Community Services Agency at the seventh annual Labor Night with the Washington Nationals on July 19.
Sponsored by both the Metro Washington Council and the Northern Virginia Labor Federation (of which MTD Executive Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Duncan serves as president), the Nationals offered discounted tickets to union members and their families with $1 from each sale going to the Community Services Agency. The money raised by the agency is used to assist union members who are laid off or injured on the job with a one-time check to help with housing costs or utilities.
Unions sold more than 6,400 tickets becoming the single largest group sale in Nationals history. In addition, Union Privilege donated an additional $10,000 to the Community Services Agency. Taking part in a pre-game on-field ceremony were MTD Board Members Walter Wise (Iron Workers) and Steve Bertelli (BCTGM); the presidents of two MTD affiliates, Larry Cohen of CWA and David Durkee of BCTGM; AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler; AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker; Union Privilege President Leslie Tolf; Metro Council President Jos Williams; Agency Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy and the MTD’s Duncan.
The night also served as a celebration for the food service workers at Nationals Park as the local that represents them (UNITE HERE Local 23) settled its contract the day before.