The Baltimore Teachers Union participated in the Mayor’s annual holiday parade. President Marietta English was driven in a car by her husband Mr. Raymond English with BTU members and staff walking along the parade route. The annual event down 34th street in Hampden is a tradition that brings the entire city together and heightens anticipation for the winter holiday season.
A reminder that the first AFT-Maryland Lobby Night in Annapolis will be Monday, January 29th. Buses leave the BTU at 5:15 pm. People wanting a seat on that bus will need to RSVP with Todd Reynolds—either via phone (443-320-4719) or treynolds@aftmd.org by Friday, Jan. 26th.
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The Chair of the Kirwan Commission announced that he does not expect final recommendations from the Commission until after the 2018 session. However, there are still at least 3 commission meetings before the session begins, and the commission will issue at least a preliminary report to the 2018 state legislature. We are still hoping to push for our priorities on equitable and effective funding *this coming session*.
If the GOP’s tax plan passes, not only will it be bad for Maryland (taxes on a large portion of people in our state will go up to offset/pay for tax breaks for corporations), it will be bad for education professionals specifically because it removes the tax deductions we get for purchasing supplies for our schools.
The follow up meeting with Baltimore Teachers Union and City Union of Baltimore retirees and Baltimore City Councilwomen Mary Pat Clarke and Shannon Sneed was an important launching point for the strategy these retirees will use to stay informed.
After countless months of pressure on the state from AFT Healthcare-Maryland leaders and activists, the union has won a hard-fought victory for some members. The state has agreed to ensure retention bonuses and back pay to nurses in 24-hour facilities that have not already received it.