The Juneteenth holiday should forever hold a special place in the hearts of labor activists. It is indeed a holiday to commemorate the end of American slavery, but we should never lose sight that American slavery had as much to do with labor rights as it did with race-based discrimination. Marking the end of the civil war with this holiday is a celebration of the end of state sanctioned race-based exploitation of vulnerable workers. The effects of the end of slavery reverberated throughout the entire United States, not merely because it marked a shift in the moral direction of the country, but because it recalibrated work relationships all across the nation, and particularly in southern states. 

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The thaw of spring is promising to all of us who found ourselves hibernating during the shorter winter days. Plenty of work was done during the winter months, but the extra daylight and warmer temperatures invigorates us all with an added boost of energy. It is natural at this time of year to feel renewed. In just over a week, the legislative session in Annapolis will wrap up, and our members working in Baltimore city schools (as well as students and education professionals across the region) are currently on Spring Break...

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Following years of organizing, residents and fellows working at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) have voted to form a union, affiliating with AFT Maryland. Residents and fellows at the institution determined unionization was the best way to advocate for themselves and their patients. Members of the organizing committee are excited about the victory and the promise that unionization means for themselves and future residents and fellows.

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Three AFT Maryland bargaining units representing state workers in Maryland recently signed contracts with the Moore Administration. The unions, Maryland Professional Employees Council (MPEC) Local 6197, AFT Healthcare Maryland Local 5197, and the Maryland School for the Deaf Faculty and Staff Association Local 4828 each were represented by their respective presidents and were joined by AFT Maryland President Kenya Campbell. The occasion was historic for the Maryland School for the Deaf Faculty and Staff Association as this is their first contract.

Read more about the agreements between AFT Maryland state employee locals and the Moore Administration​.

BALTIMORE CITY IS NOT FOR SALE:
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TO OPPOSE DEVASTATING BALLOT MEASURES  
Coalition effort to preserve essential services, schools, representative democracy; New research details destructive financial fallout of ill-considered property tax proposal

Baltimore City elected officials, public sector workers, and residents today announced the launch of Baltimore City Not for Sale, a grassroots campaign coalition to stop ruinous ballot questions that may appear on the November 2024 ballot. Big money interests from inside and outside Baltimore City are using the ballot question process to attempt to reshape the city to benefit big businesses, developers, and the wealthiest residents.

READ THE FULL RELEASE HERE.

State senators and delegates in Annapolis know the name of AFT Maryland. Our legislative efforts are an important part of the role we play for members. A number of key decisions impacting members’ work experiences are decided during the 90-day legislative session, and AFT Maryland actively supports, monitors, or opposes legislation impacting members. One thing that members and local leaders do not often have the chance to do is meet with legislators directly. The AFT Maryland Legislative Reception gives members a chance to talk face-to-face with elected officials.

Read on for photos from the event, and more.