Baltimore Marriott workers picket hotel; brewery gets national recognition

Good morning Baltimore!

It's going to be cloudy and mild today with rain in the afternoon. Temperatures will be in the 40s.

Here's the news you should know to jumpstart your week.

Labor dispute continues at downtown Baltimore hotel

Workers at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel spoke out on Friday against the raises the hotel giant has offered in contract bargaining, stating they fall short of what other major hospitality employers in the city are paying. Marriott Hotels workers were joined by other hospitality workers from UNITE HERE Local 7 to picket the hotel, which is currently in the middle of renovations. Workers say they have not had raises since February of 2021, and the current offer from Marriott does not include back pay. Friday's work stoppage is the latest in the employees' push for higher wages, after also organizing a similar event in the fall. [Press Release]

Marriott makes C-suite changes as its president heads to Under Armour

Several miles south at Marriott Hotels ' headquarters in Bethesda, the company is making some executive-level changes. The changeups are prompted by the pending departures of two key leaders, president Stephanie Linnartz who will soon become CEO of Under Armour , and Craig S. Smith who stepped down as group president of Marriott's international division. On Friday, Marriott appointed Drew Pinto as executive vice president and chief revenue and technology officer, among other changes. [Washington Business Journal]

Under Armour to expand Baltimore student-athlete support program

Speaking of Baltimore's sportswear maker, Under Armour announced on Friday that it will expand its Project Rampart initiative from the city's public high schools to its middle and elementary schools as well. The program, which launched six years ago, has led to Under Armour renovating the gyms of all 21 city public high schools and outfitting all varsity sports teams — from basketball and football to badminton and dance. News of the expansion brought out Under Armour founder and executive brand chair Kevin Plank who spoke to attendees about the company's mission and the importance of getting young people into sports. [BBJ]

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Amazon's Jeff Bezos reportedly hires firm to help consider Commanders bid

亚马逊 founder Jeff Bezos appears to be getting in the game for the Washington Commanders after all. According to The Washington Post and ESPN, Bezos has hired investment firm Allen & Company LLC. to examine the possibility of a bid for Washington’s NFL franchise. Dan and Tanya Snyder, the current co-owners of the Washington Commanders , said in November they had retained a 美国银行 Corp. affiliate to “consider potential transactions” related to the team — including a sale of minority stakes or an all-out sale.

Scientists have discovered a new core at Earth's center

Forget what you thought you knew about the makeup of our planet, a new study released last week shows evidence of a 400-mile-thick solid metallic ball at the center of Earth's inner core. The new layer, like other parts of the core, is made up of an iron-nickel alloy, but it also has a different crystal structure. The information could help provide new insight into the evolution of Earth's magnetic field. [Washington Post]

Baltimore Sun sign removed from Camden Yards scoreboard

The iconic Baltimore Sun sign that has been in place at Oriole Park since its opening in 1992 has been removed. According to the Baltimore Banner, the newspaper had not paid for the sign's placement in at least a few years. The Baltimore Orioles are currently evaluating what will replace the sign over the scoreboard.

Boeing is ending production of the "Top Gun: Maverick" fighter jet

The Boeing Co. plans to sunset its F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet in late 2025, bringing an end to production of the Navy aircraft featured in the movie “Top Gun: Maverick.” Paramount Pictures rented the F/A-18s from the US Navy at a cost of $11,374 an hour for the production of “Top Gun: Maverick,” the sequel to 1986’s “Top Gun.” Both films starred Tom Cruise, but the Navy pilots flew Grumman F-14 Tomcats in the original movie. The company said the end of production of the planes will allow it to “redirect resources” to work on new military aircraft programs while also increasing production of other aircraft. [Washington Business Journal]

Baltimore brewery lands spot on national ranking

Baltimore's own Suspended Brewing Company was included on Yelp 's list of 25 women-owned breweries to watch. Despite fierce competition in beer states like Colorado and Washington, and the nature of the already highly male-dominated industry, Pigtown's women-owned Suspended landed at No. 25 on the list.

This newsletter was written by Carley Milligan, Digital Editor at the Baltimore Business Journal. I can be reached at [email protected].?