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“Have a COLA on MPEC!” That and other clever puns were shared throughout the day as the Maryland Professional Employees Council celebrated a win for state workers. As the union prepares to head into economic negotiations with the state, they held a rally for the upcoming negotiations at the state highway administration office in Baltimore. President Jerry Smith was there in addition to other staff of the union.

Members (and even some potential members) stopped by the table inquiring what the free gifts and snacks were about. There, MPEC reminded members of the 2% increase and $500 bonus state

Given members’ growing anxiety over the planned changes to state retiree prescription drug coverage, AFT-Maryland brought in Sherry Kolbe of the Baltimore County Department of Aging for a workshop on enrolling in Medicare Part D. The workshop covered everything from explaining what Medicare Part D is, to giving retirees an opportunity to see what the set up would look like. The event was held at the Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU) and a wide range of retirees were in attendance. There were the aforementioned state retirees as well as retirees from Baltimore city, because the city plans to

The Organizing Coalition for Public Education in Maryland met at the Baltimore Teachers Union on Thursday September 13th. The meeting saw a number of invested partners from across the state come together in an effort to promote public education across the state. One of the more immediate goals of the group is to ensure Marylanders vote Yes on Question One (VoteYesOnOne.org) in the 2018 General Election. This is the ballot initiative which would secure casino gaming revenues exclusively for education.

The coalition is made up of a number of divergent interest groups. Represented among the group

In a post-Janus world it has become more important than ever to make sure public employees know their rights when it comes to unions. The Maryland Professional Employees Council hosted a “Lunch & Learn” for members, new hires, and non-members alike. This lunch and learn featured President Jerry Smith discussing the benefits of membership including having a voice at the table as the union negotiates on workers’ behalf. President Smith let those in attendance know that economic bargaining would soon open up between the union and the state and it would be important for workers’ to be members so

Summer is a busy time for the locals of AFT-Maryland. Beyond their duties as members and officers of public sector labor unions, many volunteer in the community for a number of worthwhile causes. The 2018 Maryland Walk With the Stars & Move-a-thon for sickle cell awareness and research was one of those causes AFT-Maryland showed up for. The state federation manned a table that had child identity packets, school supplies, giveaways, and most importantly voter registration forms. Some of attendees saw the voter registration table and brought over their teenagers to get registered. Others took

AFT-Maryland staff joined with the Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU) for their annual back to school event. This year, the event was done in conjunction with Church of the Holy Trinity and the West Baltimore Community. There were a number of activities for young and old alike. Children at every grade level received backpacks stuffed with school supplies and other items students would need for the upcoming school year.

In addition to the goods students received, there were free haircuts and nail painting done on site. There was a face painting activity as well as a games center. The DJ provided fun

Leadership for Tumultuous Times
Convention 2018 Election Results

Much like how many public sector employees have vowed #ImStickingWithMyUnion, the delegates at the AFT Convention have decided they are sticking with the strong leadership that has been guiding the union through some of our most turbulent times. The Progressive Caucus was overwhelmingly re-elected at the 2018 AFT Convention. The caucus is led by the dynamic trio of President Randi Weingarten, Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Lorretta Johnson and Vice-President Mary Cathryn Ricker.

There were 43 people elected as AFT Vice-Presidents and again

A highlight of the convention was the impactful speakers that delegates and guests heard from over three days in Pittsburgh. The headliner among them was former Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for President of the United States, Hillary Clinton. After addressing the convention two years ago in Minneapolis to mixed reaction, this time she was warmly received by all in the hall. She was there accepting the AFT’s Women’s Rights Award. In addressing the crowd, Secretary Clinton noted that “our work has gotten tougher, but so have we.” She commented on the Janus v. AFSCME decision which

The City Union of Baltimore and AFT Healthcare-Maryland came together for a weeklong mobilization effort. Each local set out to identify potential members and turn them into full members and even more, into activists for the union. These efforts are usually done in conjunction with AFT National and this one was no different. In addition to the members and staff of CUB and AFTHC-MD, Jennifer Pocari led the troops from the national office.

The mobilization efforts involved member-to-member engagement, and trained members on the best way to reach out to, speak with, and engage other members. Non