Happy Juneteenth!

160 years ago, the last of the enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed. Since then, Juneteenth has stood as a celebration of liberation, resistance, and the long struggle for Black freedom in America.

Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate our country resisting institutionalized labor exploitation, as well as enshrining freedom for all regardless of race. Slavery used race to mark Black workers as vulnerable and exploitable, but in doing so, it devalued all workers. The abolition of slavery had ripple effects across the country, laying the groundwork for improved labor rights and shifting the conversation about fair work and dignity on the job.

This year’s Juneteenth carries particular weight...

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Summer is here, bringing intense heat and humidity with it. This means dangerous working conditions for many on the job. AFT Maryland and the City Union of Baltimore (CUB), along with a coalition of labor unions, recently scored a victory for worker safety during the hot days of summer. Together, we worked for new regulations to protect workers from the increasing risk of heat-related illnesses on the job.

The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) division of the state’s Department of Labor (DLLR), finalized the new heat illness prevention rules with implementation to begin ahead of the 2025 summer season. 

Under the new rules, employers must take specific actions when the heat index hits 80°F or higher. 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Feldman Strategies, team@feldmanstrategies.com
May 28, 2025

The bargaining team – made up of residents and fellows – have spent months at the table fighting for their first contract on behalf of nearly one thousand colleagues who voted to unionize almost one year ago in June 2024

BALTIMORE –  Today, resident and fellow physicians at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) – who have spent months fighting to secure a fair union contract in the face of delay tactics from hospital management – have sent a new petition to UMMC CEO, Dr. Bert O’Malley, demanding the improved working conditions, benefits, and increased wages they deserve. 

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This year has tested us all. The hostile takeover by the new administration has left many uncertain about the future of our schools, our jobs, and the communities we serve. Memorial Day offers us a pause, a chance to take a breath, reflect, and reset. It’s a reminder that even in trying times, the seasons shift, the days grow longer, warmer, and we are still here, standing strong together.

Beyond the cookouts and family gatherings, Memorial Day asks something deeper of us – to honor the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service to something greater than themselves. As public employees, we know what it means to fight and serve for our communities. And so we hold a special reverence for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in that same spirit.

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AFT Maryland is proud to recognize and celebrate the incredible leadership and support of the following Maryland legislators, who stood with the federation and our members through the 2025 legislative session.

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This is an important week for AFT Maryland as we proudly celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, Nurses Appreciation Week, and Public Service Workers Recognition Week. AFT Maryland represents dedicated workers who keep our communities running: educators, healthcare workers, state employees, and civil servants. You are the backbone of our schools, hospitals, agencies, and institutions, and the value you bring to Maryland cannot be overstated.

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