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

Get On the Bus to Lobby Night with AFT Maryland!

Members! Meet the bus at AFT Maryland headquarters on Monday, January 27, 2025, or meet us in Annapolis! The bus will leave at 5:00 p.m. sharp, and you must RSVP to hold a seat on the bus. 

Click here for more information and to RSVP 

Join your fellow members for a Political Education Night with AFT Maryland! As we enter the 2025 Maryland Legislative Session, this workshop will go over some critical skills to get involved and move legislation in the interest of all of our public employees. 

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AFT Maryland members and staff were thrilled to participate once again this year with Metro Baltimore Council AFL-CIO in support of AFL-CIO Community Services' Holiday Food and Toy drive, helping to make the holidays brighter for those in need. New toys, non-perishable foods, and donations were collected throughout the season, and dozens of volunteers came together to sort, package, and distribute food baskets and toys.

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The holidays are a time to be cheerful, loving, appreciative, and giving. The Thanksgiving holiday was a perfect kickoff to a season of gratitude and reflection. A number of religious and spiritual holidays occur at the end of the calendar year and collectively they encourage us to be resolute in our commitments to one another. They invite us to center kindness, community, and appreciation as we reflect on the previous year. Thankfully these are tenets of the labor movement which we practice daily. We have consistently demonstrated our solidarity with other labor unions, community initiatives, and most importantly within our own state federation. Our collaborations have produced victories at the bargaining table and in communities across Baltimore and throughout the state of Maryland.

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