The union is not only a home for active workers; it is also a place for retirees. AFT Maryland has three active retiree chapters in the state federation, and each was represented at a retiree meeting held at the state federation office. Retired members from the Maryland Classified Employees Association (MCEA-Council 152), Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU-R), and the City Union of Baltimore (CUB-R) gathered for food, fellowship, and important updates on how to actively support labor, electoral, and community efforts of AFT Maryland. The gathering was organized by AFT Maryland organizer Janell Edmonds with support from the state federation.
Edmonds described the event as a joy, saying “we [AFT Maryland] have a strong group of retirees who typically meet and work in their respective unions. It was our goal to have them come together because the issues and challenges facing one group of retirees are often faced by another. Just as the state federation comes together to maximize our strength, we wanted our retirees to do the same. This meeting was the first of many to come, where our retirees can be in community with one another.”
Attendees heard from AFT Maryland President Kenya Campbell. She addressed the group, sharing her vision for implementing retirees into the work of the state federation, reminding them of how integral they are to the success of AFT Maryland. “Our retirees are a wealth of wisdom. They have years of experience on the job and in the labor movement, and have a lot to share with us to help us with whatever we face today. It was important to have retired state employees, talking with retired city employees, educators and PSRPs. This is another demonstration of the breadth and diversity of our state federation,” said Campbell.
AFT Maryland Communications Director Ray Baker briefed retirees on the Baltimore is Not for Sale campaign that AFT Maryland is participating in. Additionally, he presented the labor Get Out The Vote (GOTV) plan and called on retirees to offer their services phone banking to other union households.
The event was an important gathering that covered a number of important issues to retired public employees. While a good deal of business was covered, there was no shortage of comradery and fellowship among the members, as well.
2024-06-25
Article and photos by AFT Maryland Staff