All Fired Up Staff Are Fired Up About Unionizing!

3413 Connecticut Ave, NW

“All Fired Up pottery shop workers Organizing for fair pay and benefits Solidarity forever

We’re proud to announce the workers of All Fired Up DC are unionizing!! Here’s why we love working at your favorite pottery painting studio. Spoiler: it’s the people ”

“Dear PoPville,

Inspired by Crumbs & Whiskers’ organizing campaign, the workers of All Fired Up (the pottery painting studio in Cleveland Park) have signed cards to unionize with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Joint Board of Workers United. Since our owner declined to voluntarily recognize us we’re engaging the community to show that unionization is a positive, popular, and profitable move for the store.”

See their press release:

“The workers of All Fired Up, a pottery painting studio in the Cleveland Park neighborhood of Washington, DC, are all fed up with unlivable wages and a lack of benefits. “We need the community to know we can’t do this without them,” employee Jasmine Taylor says of the workers’ union campaign. “If she won’t listen to us, maybe she’ll listen to the customers who determine her bottom line.”

A resounding majority of All Fired Up workers recently signed cards to unionize with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Joint Board of Workers United. Some may recognize Workers United as the same union which ushered local businesses Aslin Beer Company and Crumbs & Whiskers
through successful union elections, or, on a national scale, as the representative of many Starbucks workers.

In response to workers’ request for voluntary recognition on March 31st, owner Liz Winchell declined. In her rejection letter Winchell claims her business “values its employees and the work they perform for All Fired Up” and “supports employees’ ability to freely express their desire to be recognized.”

Winchell’s employees, however, are now asking what that value and support really mean without formal recognition and fair compensation.
“I have eight years’ experience in the paint your own pottery industry,” worker Carrie McPherson shares, “three of which are at All Fired Up. I receive minimum wage, with no raises in my time at AFU.” Another worker explained “There’s no sick leave for any of the staff. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid. I’m also not eligible for health insurance since it’s only offered to staff in ‘leadership positions,’ as if your title determines whether you need to see a doctor.”

The All Fired Up Workers United organizing committee is asking the public to contact Liz Winchell at info@allfiredupdc.com to voice their support for the union. “Clog our inbox,” urges committee member Toni Lewis. “Make the community’s voice too big to ignore!”

About All Fired Up from their website:

“Welcome to All Fired Up. I opened the doors in May 2004 as a paint your own pottery studio. Since then, we have expanded to offer mosaics, canvas painting, acrylic painting, and glass fusion. I have always believed that everyone should have access to making art. That is true at All Fired Up! We have pottery that start at $5, without any additional costs, but the average cost is $20-$25. As the owner, these studios are my “homes away from home”! Below I offer just a few great reasons to come in and be creative with us.

Reason 1: All Fired Up is a local, family business.

I am not part of a large franchise operation. I was born and raised in the DC area and majored in art and education in college. My dream was to open a studio to combine my love of art with teaching children and adults the joy of self-expression.

Reason 2: I charge only one price for the pottery piece or mosaic you select.

I don’t charge an additional price for studio time because my philosophy is that you cannot put a time limit on individual creativity. Kids and adults need different amounts of time depending on the size of the piece and complexity of the design. By charging one price, including instruction, paints, studio time, glazing and firing, you can express maximum creativity without “watching the clock.”

Reason 3: All Fired Up offers a great range of products.

I am not tied to any one supplier so I’m able to select the highest quality items from across the nation. Also, I can research and order any specialty items you may wish to paint. Challenge my research — I haven’t been stumped yet!

Reason 4: At All Fired Up can create custom experiences just for you and your family/group!

Have a custom class, theme or project in mind? We are here to help! Give us a call or shoot us an email with your idea and we can explore creating custom classes, group events for all ages, and more.

Thank you for checking us out and we hope to see you soon!

Liz Winchell, Owner”