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Unions are only as strong as the solidarity they create. They often find their strength in numbers, as they connect different people with different interest to one goal. To that end, members & staff of AFT-Maryland took to the picket line to support their sisters and brothers in labor from the Communication Workers Association (CWA). Verizon has been dealing unfairly with the CWA and members have taken to the picket line to voice their frustrations.

AFT-Maryland stood with CWA Local 2101 in Pikesville, MD to show solidarity, support and highlight that what affects one affects us all. AFT

Citizens across Maryland took to the polls on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 to elect new leaders for everything from President of the United States to local judges. Members of AFT-Maryland, and supporters of candidates across Baltimore City and Baltimore County volunteered their efforts and time to back union endorsed candidates.

Union members, staff, and activists volunteered at strategic positions to support candidates in contested races that face low turnout. Shannon Sneed had a strong presence at polling locations to show support for her. She was endorsed by AFT-Maryland, and members went on

Avoid long lines on Election Day! Maryland has expanded early voting this year to make sure you have the best chance to make your vote count! Read on for MD Early Voting Dates, Times, and Locations.

Did you forget to register to vote? No worries! You can now register to vote DURING EARLY VOTING at designated early voting locations. Just bring a government-issued photo ID.

Note: If you participate in early voting, you cannot vote on election day or by absentee ballot. To find your pollling location on election day, visit elections.state.md.us.

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Early Voting Locations - MARYLAND

2016 Primary

Come join with your sisters and brothers in labor: MONDAY, March 21st at 6:00 p.m. for UNION NIGHT IN ANNAPOLIS at Lawyer's Mall.

After the mass labor rally, we will lobby our legislators on important issues facing public employees in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and across the State of Maryland.

Some of our issues include:

• Fighting against the privatization of vital state and city services
• Lobbying legislators to pressure Gov. Hogan to stop the abolishment of PINs
• Expanding the Community School Strategy in Maryland
• Restoring $24 million cut to Baltimore City Schools
• Ending workplace bullying

A coalition of organizations and interested parties that make up the Baltimore Education Roundtable were in Annapolis to urge legislators to support House Bill 1139, the Maryland Community School Strategy for Excellence in Public Education Act.

The bill seeks to expand the community school strategy to every school in the state of Maryland where 40% or more of the student population are eligible for free and reduced meals, through incremental phasing-in of the strategy. The House Ways and Means Committee heard from principals of Baltimore City Public Schools that are currently community schools

On Monday March 7, 2016 current and retired members of the Baltimore Teachers Union made their way to Annapolis to let legislators know vouchers were bad for Baltimore City. Three current BTU members (Brendan McFadden, Morgan Showalter, and Harry Preston V) all testified to the House Ways and Means Committee about the effects a voucher bill would have on students in Baltimore City.

Along with the teachers' testimony AFT-Maryland's Legislative and Policy Director Terence Cooper highlighted the $24 million dollar reduction in state aid to Baltimore, and noted the troubling aspect of in turn

Come join with your sisters and brothers in labor for

Union Night in Annapolis

March 21, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at Lawyer’s Mall.

After the mass labor rally, we will lobby our legislators on important issues facing public employees in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and across the State of Maryland.

Some of our issues include:

• Fighting against the privatization of vital state and city services
• Ending workplace bullying and intimidation in state agencies
• Obtaining due process rights for Maryland State employees at the Maryland School for the Deaf

Buses will be leaving from AFT-Maryland (5800 Metro Dr