AFT-Maryland continues to work to ensure that our members and the students they serve have the opportunity to work and learn in a safe and healthy environment. This session, AFT-Maryland has been supporting our members of BTU and CUB by working with state Sen. Cory McCray to pass the Safe Schools Drinking Water Act. This legislation would guard against elevated levels of lead in school drinking water. This law would ensure that any outlet in a public or non-public school that’s used for drinking water, cooking, or cleaning does not have elevated lead level. The standard established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine elevated lead is FIVE (5) parts per billion.
BTU members have been integral to the work on this issue with Sen. McCray to remedy. Member Gerimi Belin testified on similar legislation last session and is ready and prepared to head to Annapolis again this semester to fight for his students and colleagues. In addition to Belin, BTU member Siobhan Vicens testified before the House Environment and Transportation committee.
CUB members have been paying close attention to this legislation as well as many of our CUB members who work in Baltimore city schools are cafeteria managers. They, too, want to ensure the water they are using is safe for our students. AFT-Maryland will continue to work toward passing this legislation.
2020-02-18
Member testimony is vital to the work AFT-Maryland does in Annapolis on behalf of its locals. If you would like to submit written testimony or come to Annapolis to provide oral testimony on behalf of your union, please contact Todd Reynolds, AFT-Maryland Political Coordiantor at treynolds@aftmd.org.