Five Labor Unions Across Industries Endorse Janeese Lewis George for DC Mayor
ATU Local 689, SEIU 32BJ, UFCW Local 400, Unite Here Local 23 and Local 25 announce endorsement of the Ward 4 councilmember.
Today, labor unions across industries that collectively represent over 53,000 members who live or work in the DC area announced their endorsement for Janeese Lewis George for DC Mayor.
The unions include the transit workers union, ATU Local 689; the airport and property service workers union SEIU 32BJ; the retail food, retail department, health care, and food processing workers union UFCW Local 400; the hospitality and food service workers union Unite Here Local 23 and Local 25.
Lewis George has been a vocal advocate for labor and working people. As Ward 4 councilmember, Lewis George has advocated for labor standards at the RFK development, expansion of Paid Family Leave, higher wages for tipped workers, and affordable health care and housing for all. She’s also no stranger to the picket line.
“I am honored to be endorsed by labor unions I’ve fought alongside with for years,” said Lewis George. “Together, we will make DC a place where workers can earn a living wage, have affordable health care, and thrive.”
WATCH THE UNION ENDORSEMENT VIDEO
Labor unions are holding a rally for Lewis George this afternoon. Union members and labor leaders will speak about their support for Lewis George and her bid for DC mayor. Lewis George will also give remarks about the importance of organized labor.
WHAT: Labor rally for Janeese Lewis George for DC Mayor
WHEN: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM
WHERE: 901 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001 2nd floor
RSVP: For more information on the rally, please contact Amanda Michelle Gomez at 202-709-6176 or amanda@janeesefordc.com
Quotes from local labor leadership:
“Janeese Lewis George has been with us every step of the way. All the way back to our landmark strike at Cinder Bed road, she has had the backs of transit workers fighting for fairness. We are honored to endorse her to be the next Mayor of Washington DC,” said ATU Local 689 President Raymond Jackson.
“We need a mayor who puts workers first, protects immigrants, and has a passion for a better future for everyone in the district,” said Jaime Contreras, 32BJ SEIU Executive Vice President and Capital Area District Leader. “Councilmember Lewis George has proven she can be that leader through what she has done and her vision. She supported workers by voting against hurtful budget cuts to The Health Care Alliance which provides medical insurance for immigrants and working people. The district needs a Mayor who will stand up to Trump and his cronies’ constant attacks, and she has the backing of 32BJ!”
“Supporting Janeese is a no-brainer,” said Mark Federici, president of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 Union, which has approximately 1,600 members in the District. “As a councilmember, she has never once strayed from supporting our members. Having grown up in a union family, Janeese knows the difficulties working people face and the power we have when we come together. She is committed to ensuring DC is an affordable place to live, with good union jobs, where multi-generational working families with deep roots in our community can afford to stay. In the face of attacks from Republicans in Congress and the White House, masked federal agents terrorizing local residents, military troops occupying DC streets, and relentless inflation making life’s necessities unaffordable, we need a champion who will stand up for working Washingtonians. And Janeese has proven she is the right person for the job. We look forward to her leadership as mayor, particularly now when we need it most.”
“Lewis George has been a longtime champion for working people,” said Linda Martin, President of Unite Here Local 25. “The councilmember has consistently voted on the side of organized labor and working people, be it on the RFK stadium deal or Initiative 82. We know as mayor, she’ll put workers first and continue to defend our immigrant workforce.”
“DC needs a leader who is one of us,” says Unite Here Local 23 DC Chapter President Anthony Randolph. “Lewis George is a native Washingtonian and daughter of a union postal worker. She understands the value of a good-paying union job to be able to thrive and raise a family in DC. We trust her to be a champion for our members and working people everywhere.”