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AFT-MD at the Sickle Cell Disease Walk

In keeping with annual tradition the AFT-Maryland joined other community groups and volunteers for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s annual “Walk With the Stars” event in August. The state federation manned a table that provided books, voter registration, child identification kits, and a host of other important items. Jerry Smith, president of Maryland Professional Employees Council, AFTMD Local 6197, was in attendance, as were members and staff of MPEC and AFT-Maryland.

After completing the walk at the beautiful Canton Waterfront Park near the Korean War Memorial, attendees were

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Back to School in Walbrook Junction

Maryland Delegate Bilal Ali held his annual back to school event in the Walbrook Junction community. The AFT-Maryland was present passing out school supplies including pens and pencils, and also provided early reading books for students and parents. The state federation also passed out child identification packets provided by the national AFT, and registered community members to vote.

The event had strong community support as a number of students were able to get school supplies for the upcoming school year. In addition to the students who were given supplies, young people who were awarded

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CUB, AFT-MD support ATU Transit Rally

Citizens across the city, unhappy with the new Baltimore transportation program, the BaltimoreLink, joined with our AFL-CIO sisters and brothers the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) for a protest against Governor Hogan’s transportation plans for the city of Baltimore. David McClure, president of ATU Local 1300 led about 50 people who organized at War Memorial and marched to MTA offices on St. Paul St. McClure said that he wanted to send a message to Gov. Hogan that they (ATU 1300) will not be disrespected.  Speaking to the crowd he repeated the point that “when someone is suffering you render

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Statement from President English on Texas Flooding

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Statement from
AFT-Maryland President Marietta English 
on the Flooding in Texas

AFT-Maryland is heartbroken at the news of the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey to those in southern Texas. The images of people wading in water chest high in their homes is absolutely devastating. We hope that our federal government, in coordination with state and local officials in Texas, can work quickly and safely to evacuate citizens who remain in the most dangerous areas. We also stand with 

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CUB Celebrates Summer with Crab Feast

Crabs were the order of the day at the City Union of Baltimore’s Crabfeast Saturday afternoon. President Antoinette Ryan-Johnson and the union welcomed more than one hundred members, family, and friends to the event which was held at Martin’s East in Middle River. Although crabs were the highlight of the gathering the event had a full menu. Attendees could have eaten fish, chicken, macaroni & cheese, string beans, mashed potatoes with gravy and a host of other delicious options.

Those who came not only ate well, but they partied hard. The dancefloor was packed every time there was a chance to

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Back to School Block Party, East Baltimore

The AFT-Maryland teamed up with the Baltimore Teachers Union, DTLR, and a number of other community groups to send children back to school the right way. The state federation spent Saturday afternoon in East Baltimore grilling hot dogs, shooting hoops, painting faces, passing out book bags and a doing a number of other exciting activities.

Partners from First Book passed out books to both children and parents to encourage literacy among all citizens. Employees from MTA were on hand to explain the new BaltimoreLink systems to children and parents who may be relying on it for transportation this

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Bringing Back Baltimore Campaign Kick Off

The AFT-Maryland, in conjunction with Federation members BTU, CUB, and a host of community and municipal partners, kicked off the Bringing Back Baltimore campaign at Margaret Brent Elementary School in Central Baltimore. The campaign is an effort to bring students back into Baltimore City Public Schools. State funding is tied to enrollment, and the decline in enrollment in Baltimore City Public Schools has led to drastic budget cuts across the school system. This program trains teachers and paraprofessionals to go into the community canvassing and door-knocking to encourage families to bring

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Nurses Take DC

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"45246","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","style":"width: 100%; margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 3px;"}}]]Attention Healthcare workers! On Friday, May 5th, join the fight for safe and effective nurse to patient ratios! #NursesTakeDC is a nurse-driven movement to make safe nurse to patient ratios a reality for all nurses in the United States. This year, nurses will gather in Washington, DC for a National Rally to raise public awareness regarding the importance of safe nurse-to-patient ratios and to support pending legislation.


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Financial workshop for local treasurers

The locals of AFT-Maryland came together for a financial services workshop that was attended by many of the treasurers and leadership of the various locals of the state federation. The workshop was led by Kay Neipert, CPA, CFE, CICA from the AFT. During her presentation she advised those in attendance on best practices on everything from record keeping to internal controls and even communication of board minutes and duties of the officers.

There were many lessons those in attendance took away. Some information was familiar and well known such as having two signatures on the local bank accounts

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Union Night in Annapolis

Baltimore was out in full force for the Metro Baltimore AFL-CIO Rally in Annapolis on Monday, March 6th. The collective unions of the AFT-Maryland stood in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in labor. There were speakers representing nearly every sector of labor including two of AFT-Maryland’s own. Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees (BCFPE) President John Ripley gave impassioned remarks to motivate those in attendance.

Baltimore Teachers Union President and AFT-Maryland President Marietta English addressed education funding and the pending staff reduction in Baltimore City

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