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Win at Western Maryland Hospital Center

From AFT Healthcare-Maryland: In the wake of community outrage around the potential closure of Western Maryland Hospital Center (WMHC)  we are pleased that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is no longer interested in pursuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) which is a first step to the privatization of the facility. When DHMH initially planned to put out the RFP to as they said "explore options" patients, their families, the community and state workers joined forces to let the Governor and his administration know how much Marylanders value quality public health facilities.

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Member Spotlight: Jetta Williams

Jetta Williams has been an RN at Western Maryland Hospital Center (WMHC) for two years, and has been a member of AFT Healthcare-Maryland for the last four months. Jetta said that “other members kept on asking me to join and a lot of people were doing it, too. I didn’t see any reason not to join.” She wishes that her co-workers who are not full members of AFT Healthcare-Maryland would be more open-minded. She believes her union gives her the ability to collaboratively work for the betterment of all employees. Jetta is responsible for making sure her patients receive the correct medication. She

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Community Schools Conference

A host of invested parties and stakeholders went west to participate in a national community schools conference. The conference highlighted the work community schools in Baltimore as well as others across the nation have been doing. AFT-Maryland and the Baltimore Teachers Union have been on the front lines of advancing the Community School Strategy across the State of Maryland. Of those in attendance were some of AFT-Maryland's partners on the Baltimore Education Roundtable, including Maryland Out-of-School Time (MOST), The Family League of Baltimore, and MD Communities United, among others.

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Union Day in Baltimore County

Baltimore County Public Employees had an opportunity to meet and greet the leadership of the two local unions affiliated with AFT-Maryland, which represent them. Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees (BCFPE) and the Baltimore County Federation of Public Health Nurses (BCFPHN) executive boards welcomed and engaged members at the Drumcastle Center in Towson, MD.

Members had an opportunity to express both appreciation and concerns to their unions. Some asked about tuition reimbursement opportunities in the contract as well as work conditions and requirements made of them by the county.

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VOTE... for AFT's Everyday Heroes

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You can read all of the nominees' stories, and cast your vote for candidates in the Teacher, PSRP, Public Employee, Higher Education, Nurses & Health Professionals, Early Childhood, and Retiree by visiting http://www.aft.org/vote-now-your-aft-everyday-hero. 

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AFTMD Supports Striking Verizon Employees

Unions are only as strong as the solidarity they create. They often find their strength in numbers, as they connect different people with different interest to one goal. To that end, members & staff of AFT-Maryland took to the picket line to support their sisters and brothers in labor from the Communication Workers Association (CWA). Verizon has been dealing unfairly with the CWA and members have taken to the picket line to voice their frustrations.

AFT-Maryland stood with CWA Local 2101 in Pikesville, MD to show solidarity, support and highlight that what affects one affects us all. AFT

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Maryland 2016 Primary Election

Citizens across Maryland took to the polls on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 to elect new leaders for everything from President of the United States to local judges. Members of AFT-Maryland, and supporters of candidates across Baltimore City and Baltimore County volunteered their efforts and time to back union endorsed candidates.

Union members, staff, and activists volunteered at strategic positions to support candidates in contested races that face low turnout. Shannon Sneed had a strong presence at polling locations to show support for her. She was endorsed by AFT-Maryland, and members went on

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MD Early Voting Starts April 14th

Avoid long lines on Election Day! Maryland has expanded early voting this year to make sure you have the best chance to make your vote count! Read on for MD Early Voting Dates, Times, and Locations.


Did you forget to register to vote? No worries! You can now register to vote DURING EARLY VOTING at designated early voting locations. Just bring a government-issued photo ID.

Note: If you participate in early voting, you cannot vote on election day or by absentee ballot. To find your pollling location on election day, visit elections.state.md.us.

Early Voting Locations - MARYLAND

2016 Primary

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SCOTUS decision a win for working women and men

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AFT-Maryland President Marietta English Statement on Supreme Court 4-4 Split Decision in Friedrichs Case

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Union Rally in Annapolis

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Labor was out in full force at Lawyers Mall in Annapolis as the AFL-CIO held their annual legislative rally on Monday, March 21st, to promote and advance issues important to organized labor. There was a wide range of support from a cross section of labor unions. Electricians, steamfitters and plumbers, government employees, teachers, and health care professionals were among the many who were in attendance.

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