AFT-Maryland applauds our state employee members as they begin the process of bargaining for a new contract. In advance of official negotiating sessions,
AFT Healthcare-Maryland (AFTHCMD) and the
Maryland Professional Employees Council (MPEC) held meetings to provide context and background for those that are on the negotiating team. The meeting took place at the
Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU) offices and featured a number of speakers and presenters.
MPEC staff including
Royale Simms informed members of the state’s past financial decisions involving COLA increases (or lack thereof) for state workers and the impact those decisions have had on members and their pocketbooks. He and AFTHCMD and MPEC executive director
Martin Guinane led a robust conversation about privatization of state workers during the meeting. These leaders provided those in attendance with important, need-to-know information that would be useful as they sit down at the table for negotiations. Attorney
Hillary Davis shared with the group where to find important and relevant state labor law. She told AFT-Maryland, “If you know where to find the source, then you’re armed with that, and you can locate it when you need to.”
MPEC president
Jerry Smith made the need of the meeting very plain, simply stating “When it comes to bargaining, either you’re at the table, or you’re on the menu.” AFT Healthcare-Maryland president
Debra Perry said, “We are moving together with the same focus and that is to get a fair and equitable wage increase and COLA for all of the employees we represent."
09/13/2017
