State employees unionized with the Maryland Professional Employees Council (MPEC) Local 6197 met at the AFT Maryland for a steward training in April. The event was well attended by members representing a wide diversity of agencies across the state. Among the attendees were a number of first time stewards as well as a host of veteran stewards. The varied experience of the attendees allowed for a great deal of peer-to-peer learning that supplemented the instruction from Samaria Sullivan of AFT and la’Rufus Mitchell of the AFT’s Union Leadership Institute. 

Read on for photos and more from the event.
 

The AFT Maryland Triennial State Convention will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2023.  The location is forthcoming. Members of AFT Maryland affiliates should check with their local president for information.

Thank you,

LaBrina K. Hopkins
AFT Maryland Triennial State Convention Chair

The pandemic caused a shift in the way quite a bit of legislative business was handled. Some of those changes have outlived the social distancing guidance that dictated how we did business. That includes virtual testimony, zoom meetings, and live streaming of in-person events. One event that returned with a force as strong as it was pre-pandemic was the Metro Baltimore Council AFL-CIO labor rally, held on Lawyers Mall in front of the Maryland State House in Annapolis.  The annual event is a show of solidarity among labor as unions collectively flex their strength and call on state legislators to pass bills that support working people and their families. As AFT-Maryland President Kenya Campbell reminded the audience “labor power definitely works.” Click for more photos and to read > > >

For National Nurses Week the state federation shines a light on one of our members who has made a career of giving herself to her community to ensure the health and welfare of the public. Get to know Baltimore County Federation of Public Health Nurses Local 5102 member, Lateshia Scott.

Read on for the interview and more photos.

There is no stronger power than labor power and faculty at Howard Community College are flexing that muscle. Tuesday, January 30, 2024 kicked off the first day of bargaining for full time faculty with the institution. Prior to heading into the bargaining session, the bargaining team rallied with fellow full time faculty union members, AFT Maryland President, Kenya Campbell, and AFT Maryland staff. Faculty addressed the crowd and rallied in support of the team as they headed into the first negotiation session. The faculty in attendance were supportive and eager to let their voices be heard through collective bargaining.

Read on for photos and more.

“An injury to one, is an injury to all.” This famous labor quote set the tone for a press conference in Annapolis where the Maryland/DC AFL-CIO called on the Maryland General Assembly to pass legislation that would enable public employees throughout the state to have collective bargaining rights. Of the three bills that were highlighted during the event, AFT-Maryland has members that will be affected by two. 

Read on for more: