Once finals are over and grades are turned in, you may think a professor’s work is finished for the summer. That’s not completely true for community college professors who are a part of the United Academics of Maryland (UAMD). For them, the work continues into the summer. On Saturday, June 15, 2024, professors representing community colleges across Maryland including Prince George’s, Howard, Hagerstown, Frederick, and Baltimore City attended a steward training for higher education professionals.
The training was led by Samaria Sullivan who has been heading up the UAMD organizing campaign for AFT Maryland. The event kicked off with remarks from AFT Maryland President Kenya Campbell who addressed the group to remind them of the power of solidarity among the state federation. She gave an overview of the dynamic capacity of their union specifically, and the power of support from the state and national federation, as well as the broader AFL-CIO. Staff from the state federation also participated in the workshop as Communications Director Ray Baker led a session on being a union spokesperson.
The bulk of the day was spent going through strategy that will best equip the union activists to exercise their power at the workplace. In addition to Sullivan, the meeting was also facilitated by organizers for AFT Maryland who have built relationships with the educators. The group tackled important questions such as what a union is and what is its purpose. Activists also collectively determined the role of a steward on campus, and how that person should show up for their colleagues.
Several campuses are in negotiations with their respective administrations. Other campuses have recently received union recognition and are about to begin the negotiation process. There are other campuses where workers are yet to be recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for professors on their campuses, but organizing on those campuses continues. The unity and solidarity demonstrated by the statewide meeting is an example of the potential strength that UAMD will be able to wield once all campuses have recognized faculty unions.
2024-06-18
Article and photos by AFT Maryland Staff