A report by Metropolitan Washington [D.C.] Council, AFL-CIO, assistant mobilizer Julia Kann of Union City.

Thousands of union members headed to the Nationals (Nats) ballpark in Washington, D.C., Friday with friends and family for the first doubleheader of "Labor Night at the Nats." The event raises money for the Community Services Agency’s Emergency Assistance Fund, which helps union families in times of need. 

Renee Barnes, an AFSCME staffer and Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 2 member, kicked off the high-scoring first game against the Miami Marlins (Nats winning 7-4) with a moving performance of the national anthem as the Fairfax County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association Honor Guard stood by to present the colors.

The crowd was in good spirits as Dan Duncan (president, Northern Virginia Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO), Dena Briscoe (secretary, Metro Washington Council), Walter Wise (general president, Ironworkers), Anthony Brown (Lt. Gov. of Maryland) and Kathleen McKirchy (executive director, Community Services Agency) headed to the field to receive the Spirit Award between games for the impressive turnout.

Tionte Lewis, son of AFGE Local 3615 women's coordinator LeGloria Warrick, threw out the first pitch for Local 3615. AFGE Local 3615 bought more tickets to the game than any other local. Ironworkers General President Wise and Ironworkers Local 5 President Kendall Martin joined Nats managers to exchange the lineup.

Tony Janifer of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 99 put the second game in play with a boisterous announcement, “play ball!”

“Labor night at the Nats is one of our biggest events of the year,” said McKirchy.

It’s wonderful to see so many union members come out to have a fun night and support their union brothers and sisters.

The Nationals lost the second game to the Marlins Friday night (2-5) but won Saturday and Sunday's games. The Nationals are ranked first in the National League.