AFT-Maryland convened the state federation’s political committee to discuss and prepare for the upcoming 2020 elections. In compliance with all federal labor laws, no members’ dues are used for electoral politics. Instead, the Committee On Political Education (COPE) raises funds from member contributions outside of dues, dedicated explicitly to and for use in political candidate campaigns.

The locals represented at the meeting were the Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees (BCFPE), AFT Healthcare MD (AFTHCMD), and the City Union of Baltimore (CUB). Leaders from those locals discussed

The 2019 cohort of teachers that made up the Baltimore Teachers Union Teacher Leaders Program displayed their work before an audience of peers and supporters at their closing exercise. The Teacher Leader program is funded by a grant from AFT. It allows participants to identify an educational obstacle, and during the course of the eight-month program, they research solutions to the problem.

BTU Teacher Leader Facilitator Carla McCoy said, “As has been the standard for the AFT/BTU Teachers Leaders, Cohort 7 did not disappoint! Each participant used their passion for students and other

AFT-Maryland had a busy legislative session, working to get several bills passed and signed into law. Gov. Larry Hogan held a signing ceremony for three bills that affected locals in the state federation. One was a bill placing employees at the Maryland School for the Deaf into the State Personnel Management System. This was a bill that MSD and AFT-Maryland worked hard over the course of several sessions to get passed. Teachers at the Maryland School for the Deaf are fully considered state employees and are no longer contractual.

The other two bills signed were pieces of legislation of

See below for a statement from AFT-Maryland President Marietta English on the election of Delegate Adrienne Jones to Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates.

2019-05-01

AFT-Maryland joins with the entire state in mourning the passing of Maryland House Speaker Michael Busch. He was a life-long servant of the citizens of Maryland and a friend to labor and education.

His leadership in the Maryland House of Delegates has been beyond remarkable. He ensured that no matter what was happening statewide, students and teachers wouldn't be sacrificed. He also made sure state workers had a voice in policy that affected them.

We will miss his leadership, kind smile, and warm personality. Our deepest and sincere condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult

After being snowed out in early February, leaders and selected members of AFT-Maryland locals gathered in Annapolis for their annual legislative reception. At this event, members and leaders interact with Delegates and state Senators in a light-hearted social affair. While the mood is light-hearted, business is always on the menu. Each year, union leaders discuss the bills and issues important to their membership and get caught up on the progress of legislation that will affect their union.

This year, the reception was rescheduled for a Monday in mid-March. Unfortunately it was also the day