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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

The AFL-CIO has announced their list of Labor-Endorsed candidates for the 2018 Primary election. The list includes endorsements for state-wide races as well races for state senate, state house of delegates, and local and county-wide races.

MD State & DC AFL-CIO Endorsements

Local races, Metro Baltimore AFL-CIO

Local races, Metro Washington AFL-CIO

Early voting for the Primary Election occurs from June 14-21, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visit https://elections.maryland.gov/ for your voting location and more. 

The Maryland primary election will be held Tuesday, June 26th.

The AFT Healthcare Maryland held a steward training at their headquarters on Rutherford Road. This gathering of new union activists show that the commitment to democracy in the workplace is alive and well. The local welcomed more than a dozen members interested in being a voice for their fellow workers in the workplace. At the training, the members learned and developed a number of ways to best advocate for public sector workers.

In light of the Janus decision soon expected from the Supreme Court, every example of democracy in the workplace shows the will of the worker is not defined by a

Following intense lobbying by AFT Healthcare-Maryland, Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk sent a letter to Secretary of Health Robert Neall, inquiring about understaffing at state psychiatric hospitals. The union thanks Del. Melnyk for her followup and will continue to monitor the discussions between the delegate who is a member of the Health and Government Operations committee and the Maryland Department of Health. 

During the legislative session, union activists and staff made presentations to Del. Melnyk detailing the work conditions and the effects of understaffing. She understood their position

The Maryland/DC Alliance for Retired Americans held a statewide meeting at the Baltimore Teachers Union. The group gathered to discuss a number of issues pertinent to members of the organization. Retirees from the City Union of Baltimore and the Baltimore Teachers Union made up a significant number of those in attendance. Retirees from other AFL-CIO unions including AFSCME and SEIU were also in attendance.

The group discussed a number of issues including health care costs as well as the upcoming Maryland election season. Members had a chance to review the AFL-CIO recommendations and

A hallmark of any union is member engagement. That can come in many ways. For the Baltimore Teachers Union, one way it comes is through the AFT/BTU Teacher Leaders Program. This program engages BTU members through ways to conduct research, learn more about unionism, and be better teachers for the students of Baltimore city.

At the end of every school year, the teachers who participate in the program share their research and conclusions. This year was no different, but one thing that did make this cohort group unique were the number of speakers and presenters who met with them throughout the

The AFT-Maryland held their Triennial Constitutional Convention the weekend of April 20th. The convention celebrated the theme Standing on the Shoulders of Labor Giants: Fighting for Our Future. It featured remarks by labor leaders in and around Baltimore, including Donna Edwards, President of the Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO as well as Jermaine Jones, President of the Metropolitan Baltimore AFL-CIO.

Leaders from years past were not only mentioned but celebrated. Delegates and guests heard from AFT National Secretary Treasurer Dr. Lorretta Johnson, who reminded the audience that the people