Representatives from AFT-Maryland’s affiliate agencies, including union presidents, key staff members, and members of the AFT-Maryland Legislative and Political Action Committees attended training on Committees on Political Education (C.O.P.E.) and the federation’s political and legislative activities on June 19. Chris Runge, AFT Deputy Director, provided an overview of AFT’s political perspective and national priorities and presented information on the importance of building political power by encouraging members to participate in union C.O.P.E. activities.

Todd Reynolds, AFT-Maryland

A recent article by Dave Johnson on Salon.com explains why corporate CEOs make as much 300 times more than their employees. According to the article, the following factors result in exorbitant CEO pay and low wages for the average worker:

1. Free Trade—“Free trade” deals, the article says, allow companies to take good wages and worker safety and environmental protections overseas. Companies move production to places where people don’t have rights and the environment is even less protected, and then bring the same product or service back to America to sell for high prices.
2. Stock Ownership—CEOs are

Members of the Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU), national education advocates, and union leaders rallied at the administrative offices of the Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) Monday, June 16th, to protest arbitrary changes made by school administrators to the teacher evaluation process. As a result of the school administration’s changes, teachers received lower evaluation scores and performance ratings. Teacher performance ratings are tied to teacher pay.

At the rally, BTU President Marietta English told the teachers and supporters that BTU will fight attempts by the school

The Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU) has filed a class action grievance against the Baltimore City Public School System.  BTU President Marietta English is urging teachers, PSRPs, and union supporters to RALLY against the changes made to the scoring of the teacher evaluation.

"Let's sent a message to the school district that we are not going to accept these changes. This is UNACCEPTABLE!"

Join us Monday, June 16, 2014
at the BCPSS Headquarters
200 E. North Ave, Baltimore
at 4:00 p.m.

Let the Baltimore School System know they can't change the rules in the middle of the game! Teachers deserve a fair

AFT-Maryland announced today the list of the Labor-Endorsed candidates for the 2014 Primary election. The list includes endorsements for state-wide races—including Governor and Attorney General—as well races for state senate, state house of delegates, and local, and county-wide races.

“We took a lot of time and effort to look at all the candidates quite closely,” said AFT-Maryland Political Coordinator Todd Reynolds. “We feel these candidates, at every level, are the best candidates to serve working families and their priorities in Annapolis or in county and city offices. We certainly hope that

MD/DC AFL-CIO president, Fred Mason, announces a Legislative Debriefing of the 2014 Maryland General Assembly.

Thursday, June 26, 2014
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
DoubleTree Hilton
1726 Reisterstown Rd, Baltimore

The fee is $40 per person, and includes breakfast, lunch, and materials.

Registration is required. Contact Kim Tucker at ktucker@mddcaflcio.org or (410) 269-1940.