The AFT-Maryland was active in the Baltimore community Saturday Sept. 17th, participating in two events. The first was an AFL-CIO kickoff for Maryland. The event featured politicians from across the state rallying supporters and energizing the base in advance of this November’s elections. It was a well-attended, star studded affair that featured the likes of Sen. Ben Cardin, Congressman John Sarbanes, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Congressman C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger and former Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown.

They were greeted by an excited audience of union members and supporters who listened to

The Maryland/DC AFL-CIO will hold its Labor 2016 Kick Off event at the Baltimore Teachers Union on Saturday, September 17, 2016.

9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Canvassing Door-to-door for Endorsed Candidates

12:30 p.m. Picnic and Rally

at the Baltimore Teachers Union/AFT-Maryland
4701 Mount Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215
(Temporary office, across the street from BTU's building, currently under construction.)

RSVP to: Kim Tucker (410) 269-1940 or email to ktucker@mddcaflcio.org.

Click here for an event flyer.

The AFT-Maryland stood in support of Chase Brexton Health Services workers who were terminated for trying to form a union. Staff and members of the federation joined more than a hundred other activist and community members to protest decisions by the clinic’s administration to fire workers.

The clinic is unique in Baltimore in that it serves low income members of the LGBTQ community. The event was organized by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and the Baltimore Transgender Alliance. AFT-Maryland Political Coordinator Todd Reynolds said “this is at once an attack on working people and a

The 2016 AFT National Convention in Minneapolis, MN was one for the ages. Not only was it the 100th anniversary of the union, but there were a number of high profile elected officials and social justice activists that addressed the convention. The members even took to the streets themselves to put the rhetoric into action. The AFT-Maryland delegation was not only well represented but they also had a strong impact on the presentations and displays during the convention.

The convention kicked off with President Randi Weingarten’s state of the union address. Included in her remarks were a number

AFT-Maryland, in conjunction with partners from a large cross section of Baltimore (including labor, community activist and the religious community), told the Baltimore City Council it wouldn’t support the Sagamore development at Port Covington TIF unless some key demands were met. The City Council held a hearing on the Port Covington TIF on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at the Baltimore War Memorial building.

The collective called on the City Council to ensure that as property values increase, there would not be an adverse effect on city services and particularly education funding. There is a

AFT-Maryland was present and accounted for at the DPW Youthworks Resource Fair on Wednesday July 27, 2016 at the War Memorial Building, registering Baltimoreans to vote. Staff, members, and retirees in attendance worked to get young and old alike registered and involved in the electoral process. Some even saw a kinship in the younger registrants and took them to the side to explain both the historical and social significance of voting.

Many first-time voters will have the opportunity to place a true thumbprint on life for Baltimore this November as the city will hold general elections for Mayor