Our work here at AFT-Maryland continues. The following are brief reports on the activities of our affiliates:
The Baltimore Teachers Union, in cooperation with the Baltimore City Public Schools administration, has established a "School Based Options Committee." The committee will consider allowing schools some flexibility under the union contract if such an action results in greater efficiencies and teaching effectiveness. Any waiver of contract procedures would have to be voted on and approved by teachers, paraprofessionals, the BTU, and the city school administration.
Hundreds of teachers, paraprofessionals, guests, and members of the community joined BTU at the Hilton Hotel October 16th for the 27th Annual QuEst Conference. The conference offered a day of discussions, workshops, and trainings on new teaching techniques and technologies. This year’s conference theme was "Striving for Excellence in a Climate of Change." Guests and participants included Mayor Sheila Dixon, Trisha S. Edwards, Chief Operating Officer, Baltimore City Schools, and Baltimore Teacher of the year Nicholas Greer. The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Linda Stelly, encouraged participants to continue the work that has resulted in record scores on the Maryland School Assessments. LaMarr Shields, President of the Urban Leadership Institute, was a Guest Speaker and Dr. Lorretta Johnson addressed participants at the Conference Luncheon.
BTU reminds members that the Annual Spring Break Cruise occurs March 28-April 4, 2010. For more information, contact BTU at 410-358-6600.
City Union of Baltimore—President Brenda Clayburn is encouraging all CUB members to participate in CUB's continuous food drive. Conducted for the benefit of the Metropolitan Council Community Services Food Bank, the food drive assists city residents in need. Members should contact CUB at 410-962-1492 for information on how they can participate in the food drive. Negotiations continue with the Baltimore City Public School System for an extension of city employee contracts, and plans are under way for the CUB Spring Health Fair. Details on the fair will be announced soon.
Montgomery County Federation of Teachers—President Joseph Monte reports that county officials are considering raising the minimum legal age at which students can drop out of high school. A recently released report recommends raising the drop out age from 16 to 18. If county officials support the report's recommendation, the Maryland General Assembly could make the recommendation law. County officials note that a well-educated workforce is essential to the state's ability to compete in a global economy.
Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees—BCFPE president John Ripley has requested that AFL-CIO affiliates help the federation by collecting signatures on a petition that advocates collective bargaining rights for Pay Schedule I county employees. AFL-CIO members promised support of the federation's efforts at the October 29-31 Maryland/District of Columbia AFL-CIO Convention. BCFPE continues its efforts to have the county administration to enact emergency legislation that, if adopted, would establish an "Evergreen Clause." An Evergreen Clause will require the county administration to keep an existing contract in effect until a new contract is negotiated. Presently, the county and the union are forced to operate in the absence of a contract due to an impasse in contract negotiations.
AFT Healthcare-Maryland—AFT Healthcare-Maryland president Debra Perry notes that, with the state's budget cuts, healthcare professionals are being furloughed or are having their positions cut. At least one Maryland county considered cutting the budget for healthcare by 10 percent. Fortunately, that plan was not enacted. The public needs to be aware of the importance of Healthcare personnel, especially with Swine Flu threatening to reach epidemic proportions. Members are reminded that vaccination is only a part of a comprehensive program to reduce the exposure and spread of the H1N1 Swine Flu virus. For a complete list of precautionary measures, visit the AFT Healthcare-Maryland website, http//md.aft.org.afthealthcaremd.
Maryland Professional Employees Council—MPEC president George Myers continues to host "Lunch and Learn" discussions to explain the implications of the furloughs, cutbacks, and layoffs mandated by Governor O’Malley’s budget cuts. Held during employee lunch hours, the discussions are being used to help prepare workers for changes in their employment status.
