Before, during and after Superstorm Sandy, Ocean City, Md., employees worked to keep residents safe and protect their seaside town. Praise for them came from all quarters: the mayor, city council and residents.
Not surprisingly, AFT members along the Eastern Seaboard felt the impact of Hurricane Sandy—both professionally and personally. The storm and its aftermath highlighted the essential services provided by educators, state workers, healthcare professionals and other public employees. Many of these workers stepped up to help with the rescue and relief efforts. In some cases, these employees mounted heroic efforts in the face of very difficult circumstances.
Date: 10/27/12
Time: 10am-7pm
Volunteers are needed to assist the general employees of the Town of Ocean City as they seek to get a ballot initiative passed that would grant them collective bargaining rights like the Police and Fire employees have had in the town for years. We will walk through the neighborhoods and talk to voters at their homes about the importance of passing this initiative, asking them to vote 'yes' in support of the initiative (a brief training will be provided).
Overnight accommodations for Saturday night, reimbursements for mileage to and from Ocean City, and a food stipend will all be provided.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Christine Curry at ccurry@aft-maryland.org or 202-486-2356 no later than Thursday October 18. 2012.
Union members and leaders gathered at a rally on Oct. 4, 2012 in support of Question 7, the ballot question that will add a sixth casino in Prince George's County. AFT-Maryland and the Baltimore Teachers Union were represented, along with the Maryland/DC AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers. 
On May 3, 2012, Joel Smith appeared before the Court of Appeals on behalf of a coalition of Anne Arundel County public safety unions.