The union’s legislative arm is strongest when members are the advocates lobbying for themselves. Legislators listen with a closer ear and a more compassionate heart when public employees share their experiences from their worksites. Members of AFT Healthcare-Maryland did just that when they took to Annapolis to lobby their legislators on important legislation that would positively affect the pay of a number of state health care professionals.

One piece of legislation is for Pay Rates and Staffing Requirements (HB1474/SB693). The union is grateful that state Sen. Guy Guzzone, who is the

By emergency proclamation of the Governor, the 2020 Presidential Primary Election has been postponed to June 2, 2020. This election will be primarily a “vote by mail” election. This means that ballots will automatically be mailed to all eligible voters. You should receive your ballot in early to mid May. You do not need to ask for a ballot to receive one. They will mail to the address they have on file. If you need to have it mailed to a different address, or if you want to check what address they have for you, visit https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/

• To reduce the risk of

AFT-Maryland was out with sisters and brothers in labor at the Metro-Baltimore AFL-CIO Union night in Annapolis. The night was highlighted by the words of the Maryland and DC AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Gerald Jackson’s words that it doesn’t matter if you’re a D or R as long as you support labor issues. Most of the speakers that evening didn’t speak on partisan policies but rather on ensuring that working women and men of Maryland and their families would not be harmed by any legislation before the General Assembly.

Among the state federation there was a strong contingent from our local

AFT-Maryland stood in solidarity with our brother from SEIU32BJ as he faces discipline for testifying in Annapolis for higher wages. Berhanu Yiferu testified in Annapolis for a bill that would raise the wages of transportation employees. The next day he found out his services were no longer needed at his job. His employer, airline subcontractor Prospect, claims he was let go because he missed assisting a passenger but Yiferu, colleagues, and his union maintain this was retribution for his testimony in Annapolis.

AFT-Maryland joined with other labor activists, religious leaders, and Baltimore

Maryland School for the Deaf Faculty and Staff Association (MSDFSA) VP Jackie Guers made sure the word was spread throughout her campus that Wednesday, February 26, 2020 was Union Day. Faculty and staff at the Columbia campus turned out in great numbers to meet AFT-Maryland staff. Frank Pratka, an organizer who has been working with the local for a number of years, spoke with and engaged a number of members he has worked with before, and Aaron Ray worked intently to get contact information and sign up new members during the event.

Once most of the staff finished their responsibilities for the

Implementing the Kirwan Commission recommendations is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to make significant changes to the way Maryland students are educated. These changes will have particular effects on Baltimore City Public School students as well as students from Prince George’s county. Those two districts stand out because they are two of the only three school districts in Maryland where a majority of the student population is Black. In that vein, members from the Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU) and the Prince George’s County Education Association (PGCEA) united for a first of its kind