One of the largest labor unions in the U.S. is coming out against a multibillion-dollar plan to build a new sports arena for the Washington Capitals and Wizards in Alexandria, Virginia.
But as a bill that would lay the groundwork for the new arena remains in limbo in the Virginia State Senate, a Republican lawmaker tells WTOP he’s remaining optimistic despite the union’s stance.
The Northern Virginia chapter of the AFL-CIO labor union and its other member unions including UNITE HERE Local 25, which represents hospitality workers in the national capital region, came out in opposition to Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s proposal on Tuesday. Union leaders called the proposed development a “bad deal” for workers and cited concerns that building a new stadium in Potomac Yard could lead to exploitation of workers and create low-paying jobs.
Monumental Sports employs union workers at Capital One Arena in D.C.; those workers’ jobs will transfer, according to the union’s news release.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Jessica Kronzer over at WTOP