Unionization is on the rise at higher education campuses across Maryland. Following successful organizing drives at Howard and Frederick Community Colleges, AFT Maryland is working to successfully unionize full time faculty and information technology staff at Prince George’s Community College. A highlight of the organizing efforts was Union Authorization Card Day. This daylong event on Thursday January 18, 2024 (scheduled for two days, but inclement weather canceled the second day’s activities) featured workers at the college signing union authorization cards indicating their desire to form a union and collectively bargain.
The effort was a product of the work of the Prince George’s Community College Organizing Committee along with support from AFT Maryland. Activists and state federation staff are responding to the needs of workers on the Prince George’s campus. Workers there want fair compensation, equitable working conditions, and opportunities for professional development. PGCC education professionals recognize the changing landscape of American higher education. Realizing this, unionization is a key step workers can take to make sure faculty excel, students thrive, and the college flourishes. Among other things, the higher education professionals on campus note a desire to ultimately serve their students while supporting one another, and they believe unionization is the best method to accomplish all of this.
Higher education has been fertile ground for unionization activities over the last few years. Full time faculty at four-year public universities in Maryland are advocating for change in Maryland law that would allow them collective bargaining rights.
Article and photos by AFT Maryland staff
2024-02-02