MARYLAND — This past week, The Department of Education sent a “Dear Colleague” letter threatening federal funding for educational institutions that include race in decision making on student life – a far-reaching attempt to undermine our educational institutions.

The letter is directed towards all preschool, K-12, postsecondary educational institutions, and state educational agencies that receive federal financial assistance and will assess compliance by February 28, defying federal law that protects schools and colleges from presidents directing curriculum. 

Click through for the full press release.

January was a busy month with nearly 2,000 bills introduced in the Maryland General Assembly. AFT Maryland has done its best to keep up with them and alert our affiliate unions on pending legislation. AFT Maryland and affiliates have taken positions on 30 bills. Below are updates on several of our priorities.

Read on for more about: 

• the Maryland State Budget
• the Fair Share for Maryland Act
• Collective Bargaining Rights for faculty at Maryland's 4-year public universities, and 
• Adding 911 Specialists to the Hometown Heroes Act

To all of our members and our communities,

I would like to start by saying, Thank You. Thank you to all of the members, family and friends, and community partners who have been with us these past days, weeks, and months, in all of the ways you showed up to help. Since August, we have had a constant crew of retirees and others making phone calls to union members in Maryland and in battleground states. We have seen our members engaging with the AFT’s program to write personal letters to union members. And we have had volunteers showing up every Saturday to go out into the community and knock on doors to engage members and turn out voters. 

Read on for more...

The state of Maryland has received a $2.5 million implementation grant from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This grant will help Maryland public schools extend services beyond what is provided under a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Services Program (IFSP). This initiative is a critical step toward enhanced healthcare accessibility for students enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP.

This grant, a product of the work of AFT Maryland in collaboration with Gov. Moore’s staff, is part of a broader federal effort under the Biden Administration. Click here to read more.

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