In late October, a small but committed band of rodmen - construction workers who place the reinforcing steel in the concrete structure of buildings, bridges, power plants, etc - walked off the job at Wings Enterprises. While many of the striker's demands are familiar -- a living wage, benefits and a respectful workplace - they're also demanding drinking water and basic safety equipment.

The NEWS from DC Jobs with Justice
Fall 2009

In this issue:
*Protecting the public sector: Holding elected officials accountable
*Profile of Solidarity
*Iraqi Labor Leaders Speak Out
*Day Laborer Victory
*Hotel Worker Solidarity

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Protecting the public sector: Holding elected officials accountable

While the scope and length of the current economic crisis is still unclear—unemployment rates are at a record high, the number of day laborers looking for work at Home Depot is growing and a quarter of DC residents are living below the poverty line-- what is clear is that the Fenty administration is chipping away at our City’s safety net by selling off the public sector to private interests.