DPW LMPC Charter Signing Ceremony, June 20, 2016. Pictured first row (l-r): Barry Carey, AFSCME Local 2091President; Christopher J. Shorter, DPW Director; Barbara Milton, AFGE Local 631 President; Gina Walton, AFGE Local 1975 President. Second row (l-r) John Parham, DPW Human Capital Administrator; Carla Longshore, DPW Fleet Management Associate Administrator for Fleet Service Operations; Jeremiah Abu-Bakr, AFSCME Local 2091 Chapter Chair; James Jackson, Jr., DPW Deputy Director; Nalene Ruffin, AFGE Local 631 Vice President; Teri Doke, DPW Parking Enforcement Management Administrator; Merika Tapp, AFGE Local 1975 Chief Shop Steward; Gail Heath, DPW Employee and Labor Relations Advisor; Frank Pacifico, DPW Parking Enforcement Management Deputy Administrator for Programs.

(WASHINGTON, DC) The Department of Public Works Director and the presidents of the three labor unions that represent DPW employees recently signed the Labor Management Partnership Council (LMPC) Charter that “. . . supports the critical integration of workforce, labor union, and department administration into effective teamwork that fosters operational efficiency while maintaining a high quality work environment for employees of the District government.” The signing ceremony was June 20, 2016 at DPW.

“Among my most urgent priorities upon being named DPW Director by Mayor Muriel Bowser in June 2015, was to create a foundation for DPW labor unions and management to work together to achieve our service delivery goals to benefit District residents, businesses and visitors,” said DPW Director Christopher J. Shorter. “DPW’s Executive Team, union leaders and I deliberated the terms of the Charter with the objective of defining practical strategies to enhance public management of resources, responsive service delivery, and workforce collaboration.”

Union presidents – Barbara Milton, AFGE Local 631, representing Fleet Management Administration employees; Barry Carey, AFSCME Local 2091, representing Solid Waste Management Administration employees and Gina Walton, AFGE Local 1975, representing Parking Enforcement Management Administration employees – joined DPW Director Christopher J. Shorter for the ceremony held at the parking administration headquarters.

President Barbara Milton said, "I am confident that our DPW LMPC will set the standard for other LMPCs across the city.  Our efforts will improve the relationship and communication between labor and management.  We will strive to improve service delivery to District residents and our customers. I look forward to working as a member of this Committee."

“I've believed in the concept of labor and management partnership from my very first exposure to it in 1999 or so,” said Mr. Carey. “I was doing a ride along through Ward 7 with former City Administrator John Koskinen, and that compelled me to do more research on it. I have known since then that if done right it could immeasurably improve the work place and ultimately our fair city.

“It's very refreshing to have a courageous young leader like Chris who is willing to step outside of the proverbial box.”

"I firmly believe in the power of collaboration and partnership,” said Gina Walton. “If you don't collaborate, your ideas are limited to what you accomplish alone.   Alone we can accomplish little; together we can accomplish much. I look forward to new beginnings and have great expectations for the successful partnership between DPW and Labor."

Now that the charter has been signed, the next step is to develop a strategic plan to guide development of DPW LMPC goals and timelines, including a structure for subcommittees to carry out mandates.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) provides essential city services in two distinct program areas: environmental services/solid waste management and parking enforcement. Both contribute to making our District streets and public spaces clean, safe, attractive and accessible for all residents, businesses, commuters and visitors.