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News

3-17-2010 - The Washington Post reports "Immigrants vulnerable as recession spurs more bosses to shortchange workers".  Lisa Guerra, the EJC's bilingual staff attorney, is quoted.

2-24-2010 - The EJC's legal and policy associate Mattew Mellon testified at the hearing about the challenges that limited-English proficient ("LEP) workers face and how the Office has failed to address these problems.  To view his testimony, please click here.  (Our testimony begins at 3:15).

2-2-2010 - The EJC's Advocacy Manager Courtney Chapell's editorial in The Washington Post to clear up "Confusion about the new sick-leave law in D.C."

1-30-2010 - EJC's Courtney Chappell is quoted in an article on the DC Votes listserv.

1-25-2010 - EJC's Director of Advocacy, Courtney Chappell, is included in The Washington Post's report on the  new D.C. law regarding sick leave.

11-23-2009 - D.C. Committee on Housing and Workforce Development, Unemployment Compensation Hearing, EJC Testimony

7-1-2009 - D.C. Committee on Aging and Community Affairs, Human Rights for Ex-Offenders Amendment Act of 2009, EJC Testimony

4-20-2009 - Department of Employment Services FY 2010 Budget Hearing, EJC Testimony

1-13-2008, CBS News, Workers Want Paid Sick Days

7-13-2007, Washington Hispanic, "Debaten ley para pagar 10 dias por enfermedad a trabajadores"

5-3-2007, Washington Examiner, "Council weighs sick leave for all District workers"

5-3-2007, Washington Hispanic, "Proyecto de ley con beneficios laborales es bien recibido por el Concejo de DC"

5-3-2007, Inclusion, "More Good News for Better Jobs - Paid Sick Days in DC"

12-2006, Washington Lawyer, "Fenty Keynotes Hispanic Bar's Awards Ceremony" (EJC receives the Hispanic Bar Association's Hugh A. Johnson, Jr. award for being "instrumental" in securing, protecting, and promoting workplace justice in the D.C. metropolitan area.)

12-5-2006, The Washington Examiner, "Veteran City Employee Fights to Get Workers' Compensation Benefits" (EJC Injured Worker Advocate and Board Member Brenda Day is interviewed about her challenges with the workers' compensation system.  Article also mentions the EJC's continued efforts on behalf of injured government workers.)

11-19-2006, The Washington Post, "Thanks to Those Who Help Turn the Tides of Misfortune" (Columnist thanks the EJC and other area nonprofits for their hard work)

10-30-2006, The Legal Times, "DC Measure Seeks to Protect Ex-Cons" (Article quotes the expertise of EJC Executive Director Judith M. Conti, Esq.)

9-24-2006, The New York Times, "The Ethicist: Hire Good" by Randy Cohen (Column quotes the expertise of EJC Executive Director Judith M. Conti, Esq. in its response to worker)

• 11/3/2005 - Testimony of Judith M. Conti to the Committee on the Judiciary
• 8/29/2005 - Legal Times.  "Root, Root for the Workers". EJC Co-Directors Judith Conti and Kerry O'Brien strive to ensure RFK stadium workers are paid what they're owed.
• 7/22/2005 - Washington City Paper. "Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Woes: In the District's Disability Compensation Program, the injury is just the beginning of the trauma." Several members of the Injured Worker Advocates tell their horror stories of the District's worker compensation program for government employees.
• 6/17/2005 - Dirty Work. For years, DC government contractors have underpaid their workers in police stations, government offices, and a 45,000 seat stadium. Nobody noticed.
• 5/6/2005 - Washington City Paper. "Working for Peanuts: Some of the jobs D.C. baseball brought to town didn't come with legal wages."   Co-director Kerry O'Brien detects thousands of dollars in wage violations by cleaning contractors at RFK Stadium.
• 4/15/2005 - Washington Hispanic "El Comite Fighting Against Employers that Don't Pay."  Mitzi Macias' front page report on El Comite's efforts to double the staff of the wage enforcement office in D.C.  (in English & Spanish).  (PDF 117K)
• 3/3/2005 - El Pregonero.  "They Don't Pay them Wages or Give Them Bounced Checks."  Andrea Acosta writes about the testimony of El Comite de la Defensa de Los Trabajadores before the D.C. Council Committee on Government Operations on February 28.
• 3/1/2005 - Radio America (1540 A.M. in the D.C. area).  Jorge Carranza of the EJC's Workers' Defense Committee spoke on Radio America about El Comite's wage enforcement campaign.  He explained the problem of unpaid wages and reported that the February 28 hearing was not a solution and that we need people to come out for the next hearing on April 9.  Unfortunately, no clip is available. 
• Justice Delayed is Justice Denied!  On Monday, February 28, the Injured Workers Advocates rallied in front of the Wilson Building to demand that Gregg Irish, the director of the Department of Employment Services, decrease the time that it takes for workers' compensation judges to issue decisions.  See the full press release here (PDF, 88 K).
• The Epidemic of Unpaid Wages.  The Workers’ Defense Committee (El Comite de la Defensa de Los Trabajadores) will rally and testify before the D.C. Council about the epidemic of unpaid wages.  Jorge Carranza, a member of the Workers’ Defense Committee will testify that too many immigrant workers are being abused by employers and that the D.C. Department of Employment Services needs to do more to enforce the wage laws. Media advisory.  Testiomony of Jorge.  El Pregonero Article on the Testimony (PDF 66K) (2/28/2005). 
• 01/28/2005 - WAMU Metro Connection, Low Wage Work Force - Kerry O'Brien is interviewed as part of a story by James Jones.  Click here for an audio clip.
• 01/21/2005 - Washington Hispanic, Assaulted Worker Wins Case Against Employer. (PDF, 58 KB) 
• 12/13/2004 - The Common Denominator, Minimum Wage Hike - Article on the recent D.C. Minimum Wage Increase which also includes information about the IWA's recent legislative victory. (PDF, 55 KB)
• 10/7/2004 - Sideshows & Souveniers - Barras Report - Jonetta Rose Barras reports on the Council's disapproval of James Jacobs as Chief Risk Officer.  (scroll down to S&S headline). 
• 10/6/2004 - Washington Post, D.C. Faces Bill in Disability Ruling: Council Dismisses Official Over Benefits Payment Disupte. (PDF, 58 KB) 
• 10/2004 - The Ethicist, NY Times - Judy Conti weighs in on an ethical issue regarding math ability in the workplace.  (Free login required). 

Press Releases

March 4, 2008 - D.C. Council Includes One-Year Waiting Period, Other Harsh Amendments Before Passing the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act

May 1, 2007 - New Paid Sick & Safe Days Law Will Benefit All DC Workers, Families

September 15, 2006 - EJC Reopens SE Clinic & Launches New Consultation Program

June 8, 2006 -  EJC Secures Back Pay for RFK Workers - $550,000

NEWS ARCHIVE

• Spirit of Giving.  The EJC is one of 15 organizations selected for the 2004-2005 Spirit of Giving Guide , published by the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region.  The guide, with a theme of "Civic Engagement," was mailed to 11,000 high-income households.  The guide features EJC's worker organizing campaigns.  (2/2/2005). 

• Living Wages.  POWER Coordinator Karen Minatelli testifies before the D.C. Council on the Mayor's Way to Work Act, which includes a living wage proposal.  Testimony (6/10/2005).  See also Additional Testimony Submitted.

• Wage Campaign Kick-Off.  On Saturday, January 29 at 9 a.m., El Comite de la Defensa de los Trabajadores (Workers' Defense Committee) will launch a campaign to improve enforcement of wage laws in the District of Columbia.  Location: Neighbors' Consejo.  More information 202-828-9675 x15.  (1/24/2005). 

• Injured Workers Win Final Vote at D.C. Council.  On Tuesday, December 7 at 10 a.m., the D.C. Council voted unanimously to approve key legislation to stop the abuse of injured workers.  Media advisory (12/7/2004).   

• Employment Services Not Bilingual Enough.  The D.C. Department of Employment Services did not comply with federal law requiring bilingual assistance in government-funded programs, according to an 18-month investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor released October 18, 2004.  The investigation was initiated at the request of the EJC based on our observatino of serious, systemic problems in the agency's compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  More information in media release.  In Spanish, Comunicado de Prensa.  Executive Summary of DOL Report (PDF) (10/19/2004).    

• Council Votes No on Chief Risk Officer.  The D.C. Council voted today, 12-1, to remove James Jacobs as Chief Risk Officer, the D.C. official responsible for safety & health and workers' compensation programs for D.C. government employees.  More information in media release. (10/5/2004).

• Major Ruling in Class Action Case for Injured Workers.    A federal judge ruled on September 24 the District of Columbia has been violating the Constitutional rights of inured D.C. Government employees, and ordered the Government to immediately reinstate workers’ compensation benefits to all plaintiffs in the class action.  Media Advisory.  Litigation information page.  (9/27/2004)
  

• Labor Day Luncheon.  Tuesday September 21, 2004, 12 to 1:30 p.m., UDC Law School, 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW.  New Location.  Special Guest and Honorees: The Members of El Teatro de los Trabajadores (the Workers' Theater).  More information.  (9/21/2004)

• Injured Workers Advocates to testify on disability compensation legislation and the potential appointment of James Jacobs as head of D.C. Office of Risk Management.  Friday, September 17, 2004.  Rally at noon at Freedom Plaza.  Hearing begins at 1 p.m. at D.C. Council building (Wilson building), 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.  For more information contact Amy Vruno at (202) 828-9675 x18.  Media Advisory.  (9/17/2004)
  
• Increase the D.C. Minimum Wage.  Director Judith Conti testifies before the Committee on Public Services regarding increasing the minimum wage in the District of Columbia.  Testimony (PDF) (7/12/2004)
  
• Injured Workers Take Action and Win BIG.  (6/2004).
  
• Apprenticeship & Unemployment.  Director Judith Conti testifies before the Committee on Public Services regarding apprenticeship programs and unemployment compensation Testimony (PDF) (06/30/2004)
  
• 6/04 - Injured Workers Advocates take ACTION at the Mayor's Press Briefing
  
• UI/DV.  POWER Coordinator Karen Minatelli testifies before the D.C. Council regarding the Unemployment Compensation and Domestic Violence Amendment Act. Testimony (PDF) (11/10/2003)
  
• Massive Failures in Disability Compensation.  Amy Vruno and multiple members of the Injured Workers Advocates testify before the D.C. Council, Committee on Government Operations about massive failures in the disability compensation program.  Page with Testimony Links.  (10/2003).
  
• Worker Advocate Leticia Vasquez testifies before the D.C. Council regarding Lawn Restoration Services. (PDF) (2003)
  
• Worker Advocate Leticia Vasquez and members of El Comite de Denfensa de Los Trabajadores testify before Councilmember Jim Graham regarding the Language Access Act. (PDF) (2003).
  
• 10/9/03 - Director Judy Conti inducted into OMB Watch Public Interest Hall of Fame. 
  
• 6/6/03 - "Class Consciousness: Students walk out of charter school over paycheck complaints" from the Washington City Paper
  
• 5/26/03 - "When Can a Worker Be Fired for Consulting a Lawyer?" from Lawyer's Weekly USA
  
• 7/4/02 and 7/18/02 - Two articles from El Pregonero featuring comments by EJC Worker Advocate Leticia Vasquez and a description of EJC's workshops. In Spanish and English, in PDF (Adobe) format only.
  
• 6/25/02 -- EJC Worker Advocate Leticia Vasquez Testifies at the Workers' Rights Board Hearing on the City's Contract with Lawn Restoration Services
  
• 6/1/02 - Probono.net/dc Launch.  The EJC hosts the employment law section of this exciting new online tool for supporting pro bono work.
  
• 4/17/02 - EJC Co-Founder Kerry O'Brien Testifies Before the Department of Labor's Forum on Reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act
  
• 3/12/02 -- A New Report, "Failing the Unemployed," Details the Failure of D.C.'s Unemployment Insurance System
  
• 3/9/02  --  EJC Worker Advocate Leticia Vasquez Testifies at DC Councilmember Jim Graham's Public Bilingual Hearing
  
• 3/6/02  --  EJC Co-Founder Judy Conti Testifies Before Congress About the Fair Labor Standards Act and Paid Overtime

MEDIA COVERAGE ARCHIVE

• 11/03 - "Day Laborers Accuse Contractor of Swindling" from Washington Hispanic describes a group of workers who organized against their employer to recover wages. (PDF - in Spanish and English). 
  
• 11/03 - "Workers' Rights Clinics" from East of the River details our legal services and highlights the expanded clinic in SE
  
• 6/03 - "Overtime Blues" Judy Conti appears on CNN discussing proposed overtime regulations. 
  

• Not Paying Your Bills? It Could Cost You a Job, Washington Post, July 22, 2002.  Robin Runge of the EJC is briefly referenced in this article discussing the recent rise in employer background checks.

• Job Seeking Tips for Those With a Criminal Record, Washington Post, April 1, 2002.  The EJC's criminal records doyenne Robin Runge is cited in this piece from the Post's business section.

• Welfare Reform Faces a Softening Economy  Jonathan Peterson and Lee Romley quote EJC co-founder Kerry O'Brien in their October 28, 2001 L.A. Times article about workers who got off welfare only to face layoffs in the post-September 11th economic fallout.

• The Remains of the Day Work  Sarah Godfrey's story on day laborers was featured on the cover of the November 9-15, 2001 edition of the Washington City Paper. EJC co-founder Judy Conti is interviewed.

• Career Centers in D.C. Faulted in New Report: Long Waits, Rudeness Among Complaints, Washington Post, June 27, 2001.  By Sarah Schafer and Sewell Chan.  Article about the D.C. Jobs Council report, "Help Wanted: Low-income Job Seekers Assess the District's One-Stop Career Centers".

• They Don't Help Them Find Work El Pregonero, July 5, 2001.  This Spanish-language local newspaper reported on the One-Stop report.  This PDF file includes an English translation.  You will need Adobe Acrobat for the link.

• Law Clinic is Giving Workers a Voice, Washington Post, April 30, 2001 D.C. "Organization Helps Fight for Rights".  By Sylvia Moreno, Washington Post Staff Writer.  A front page profile of the struggles of three clients, and the desperate need for the D.C. Employment Justice Center.  This article resulted in an increase in clients, volunteers, donations and supporters.