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Balt. County African American Cultural Festival

The 2017 Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival is an annual event that brings citizens of all walks of life to the center of county politics to observe, engage, and enjoy African-American culture. There were a diverse array of vendors and sponsors on the scene this year and they provided valuable art and information to the attendees. Once again, AFT-Maryland was set up in the Education Village. There, the state federation passed out books, registered people to vote, and had personal hygiene bags available for students and families.

Members from across the federation were also out

Supreme Court: Janus v. AFSCME 31

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It is disappointing that the Supreme Court has granted certiorari in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31. Labor unions have been the engine that have driven the economic motor of the middle class in the United States during the majority of the 20th century. It is no coincidence that as labor union participation has decreased in the nation over the last few decades, the wages of workers have remained stagnant while the richest Americans continue to get richer...

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The City Union of Baltimore-Retiree chapter had their Second (2nd) Anniversary luncheon on Tuesday, September 19th at the CUB office. The event was well attended and beyond simply celebrating the retiree chapter, the union had information presented by a number of speakers to ensure that members are still living engaged and enriching lives, even into retirement. Lauren Luchi who heads up AFT’s retiree division called on those in attendance to call their Senators and tell them to vote NO on the Graham-Cassidy health care bill. At one point during the luncheon, she got everyone to take out their

AFT-Maryland applauds our state employee members as they begin the process of bargaining for a new contract. In advance of official negotiating sessions, AFT Healthcare-Maryland (AFTHCMD) and the Maryland Professional Employees Council (MPEC) held meetings to provide context and background for those that are on the negotiating team. The meeting took place at the Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU) offices and featured a number of speakers and presenters.

MPEC staff including Royale Simms informed members of the state’s past financial decisions involving COLA increases (or lack thereof) for state

Statement on President Trump's DACA Decision

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"47885","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","style":"width: 569px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"}}]]Once more, we who are people of good will must resist the xenophobic policies of the President of the United States. His decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is President Trump doubling down on bad campaign rhetoric and turning it into harmful public policy. The nearly one million young people that this will affect nationwide are our friends, neighbors, colleagues, and union sisters and brothers.

The AFT-Maryland calls on our congressional representatives to

In keeping with annual tradition the AFT-Maryland joined other community groups and volunteers for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s annual “Walk With the Stars” event in August. The state federation manned a table that provided books, voter registration, child identification kits, and a host of other important items. Jerry Smith, president of Maryland Professional Employees Council, AFTMD Local 6197, was in attendance, as were members and staff of MPEC and AFT-Maryland.

After completing the walk at the beautiful Canton Waterfront Park near the Korean War Memorial, attendees were

Maryland Delegate Bilal Ali held his annual back to school event in the Walbrook Junction community. The AFT-Maryland was present passing out school supplies including pens and pencils, and also provided early reading books for students and parents. The state federation also passed out child identification packets provided by the national AFT, and registered community members to vote.

The event had strong community support as a number of students were able to get school supplies for the upcoming school year. In addition to the students who were given supplies, young people who were awarded

Citizens across the city, unhappy with the new Baltimore transportation program, the BaltimoreLink, joined with our AFL-CIO sisters and brothers the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) for a protest against Governor Hogan’s transportation plans for the city of Baltimore. David McClure, president of ATU Local 1300 led about 50 people who organized at War Memorial and marched to MTA offices on St. Paul St. McClure said that he wanted to send a message to Gov. Hogan that they (ATU 1300) will not be disrespected. Speaking to the crowd he repeated the point that “when someone is suffering you render

Statement from President English on Texas Flooding

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Statement from
AFT-Maryland President Marietta English
on the Flooding in Texas

AFT-Maryland is heartbroken at the news of the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey to those in southern Texas. The images of people wading in water chest high in their homes is absolutely devastating. We hope that our federal government, in coordination with state and local officials in Texas, can work quickly and safely to evacuate citizens who remain in the most dangerous areas. We also stand with

Crabs were the order of the day at the City Union of Baltimore’s Crabfeast Saturday afternoon. President Antoinette Ryan-Johnson and the union welcomed more than one hundred members, family, and friends to the event which was held at Martin’s East in Middle River. Although crabs were the highlight of the gathering the event had a full menu. Attendees could have eaten fish, chicken, macaroni & cheese, string beans, mashed potatoes with gravy and a host of other delicious options.

Those who came not only ate well, but they partied hard. The dancefloor was packed every time there was a chance to

Balt. County African American Cultural Festival

Supreme Court: Janus v. AFSCME 31

CUB Retiree Anniversary

State Employee Bargaining Team Meeting

Statement on President Trump's DACA Decision

AFT-MD at the Sickle Cell Disease Walk

Back to School in Walbrook Junction

CUB, AFT-MD support ATU Transit Rally

Statement from President English on Texas Flooding

CUB Celebrates Summer with Crab Feast