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Retention bonus win for AFT Healthcare-Maryland

After countless months of pressure on the state from AFT Healthcare-Maryland leaders and activists, the union has won a hard-fought victory for some members. The state has agreed to ensure retention bonuses and back pay to nurses in 24-hour facilities that have not already received it. Those who are to receive the back pay and/or retention bonus are supposed to receive it by November 15, 2017.

This has been an issue the union has been fighting for some time. Meetings were held with union leaders, legislators and the State in an effort to get the bonuses. The state federation supports the work

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Union-Made Halloween Treats

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Union Services Department Posted on 10/23/17.

What's sweeter than candy? Union-made treats! Below, you'll find several delectable goodies made by union members from the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), and United Farm Workers of America (UFW).

Click here for the flyer.

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Lobby Night, January 29th

Join AFT-Maryland and our members from the BTU, CUB, MCEA, MPEC, AFT Healthcare, BCFPE, and BCFPHN as we travel to Annapolis to talk with our representatives about our issues in the 2018 Legislative Session.

AFT-Maryland will provide buses from Baltimore. Buses will leave from our parking lot at 5800 Metro Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215 at 5:15 p.m. Sandwiches and soft drinks will be provided on the bus.

TO SECURE YOUR SEAT, 
RSVP to Todd Reynolds, Political Coordinator,
at treynolds@aftmd.org
or by calling (443) 320-4719.

https://www.facebook.com/events/429979430733530

 

Sign up for our Lobby Night

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BTU QuEST Conference

The Baltimore Teachers Union held their 35th annual QuEST Conference and Health Fair. There were a number of breakout sessions, panels and conversations that all worked to give BTU members tools and resources to help them better serve their young people. The keynote speaker was Robert Jackson. He is a nationally renowned speaker, educator, consultant, and owner of Lavelle Publishing and Robert Jackson Consulting. Mr. Jackson has created positive change in school systems nationally, working to bridge the gap between parents, educators, administrators, and students.

The federation’s political

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Members testify for prescription coverage for retirees

Two locals in the federation came together to let their voices be heard. City Union of Baltimore retirees joined with leadership and Baltimore Teachers Union retirees to testify at a city council hearing about changes to the prescription drug benefits plan for Baltimore city retirees. CUB President Antoinette Ryan-Johnson kicked off the panel. She spoke about the need to ensure a fair and equitable prescription drug benefit plan for current and retired city municipal workers.

President Ryan-Johnson was joined by CUB retiree Donald Morris and BTU retiree Marsha Taylor in supporting the City

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Balt. County African American Cultural Festival

The 2017 Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival is an annual event that brings citizens of all walks of life to the center of county politics to observe, engage, and enjoy African-American culture. There were a diverse array of vendors and sponsors on the scene this year and they provided valuable art and information to the attendees. Once again, AFT-Maryland was set up in the Education Village. There, the state federation passed out books, registered people to vote, and had personal hygiene bags available for students and families.

Members from across the federation were also out

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Supreme Court: Janus v. AFSCME 31

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It is disappointing that the Supreme Court has granted certiorari in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31. Labor unions have been the engine that have driven the economic motor of the middle class in the United States during the majority of the 20th century. It is no coincidence that as labor union participation has decreased in the nation over the last few decades, the wages of workers have remained stagnant while the richest Americans continue to get richer...

click for   

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CUB Retiree Anniversary

The City Union of Baltimore-Retiree chapter had their Second (2nd) Anniversary luncheon on Tuesday, September 19th at the CUB office. The event was well attended and beyond simply celebrating the retiree chapter, the union had information presented by a number of speakers to ensure that members are still living engaged and enriching lives, even into retirement. Lauren Luchi who heads up AFT’s retiree division called on those in attendance to call their Senators and tell them to vote NO on the Graham-Cassidy health care bill. At one point during the luncheon, she got everyone to take out their

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State Employee Bargaining Team Meeting

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

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Statement on President Trump's DACA Decision

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"47885","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","style":"width: 569px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"}}]]Once more, we who are people of good will must resist the xenophobic policies of the President of the United States. His decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is President Trump doubling down on bad campaign rhetoric and turning it into harmful public policy. The nearly one million young people that this will affect nationwide are our friends, neighbors, colleagues, and union sisters and brothers.

The AFT-Maryland calls on our congressional representatives to   

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