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AFT-Maryland Field Representative Todd Reynolds told committee members that fair share—the contributions of non-union members to union activities—should be expanded to include those members of institutions of higher learning who benefit from the contract negotiations, education, and trainings that unions provide. 

Presenting testimony on behalf of AFT-Maryland/Baltimore Teachers Union President Marietta

AFT-Maryland members travelled to Annapolis on Monday, February 11, 2013 to talk to their delegates about several issues of concern. Among other things, members talked about

• the Baltimore 10-Year school facilities plan,
• the Full Pension Funding Act (HB239),
• the Correctional Officers Bill of Rights (SB216/HB346),
• Phased Retirement for State Employees (HB258),
• the Governor's Budget, and
• Public Schools Emergency Managment Plans (SB143).

We had a great turnout, and it was inspiring to see so many people in blue AFT-Maryland shirts walking around the House and Senate buildings. Thank you to all the

Mr. Lawson presented BTU with an award of recognition for the dedicated work that they do for education in Maryland. The award will be hanging in the BTU Office.

(for full article, visit BaltimoreSun.com.)

You wouldn't know it from our nation's debate over Obamacare, but the U.S. has had government-supported health care for nearly 80 years. Not only that, but our nation bolsters a retirement level well beyond the thin safety net provided by Social Security, and it even ensures Americans a path to a family-supporting wage. And, no, I have not mistaken the U.S. for a socialist European nation.

Our government assures us these broad economic benefits by guaranteeing our right to form a labor union. Those among us who join a union — or who get a job with a

On November 6th, America witnessed an historic occurence. The re-election of President Barack Obama both shocked and elated not only America's voters, but people around the world. Prominent members of the Republican Party had announced that their first priority was to prevent the president from being re-elected.

In fact, it now has been revealed that certain governors and election officials consciously and deliberately conspired to suppress the Democratic turnout to prevent the president's victory. Right wing pundits confidently predicted the president's fall.

The majority of the nation's voters

AFT-Maryland President Marietta English convened members of the AFT-Maryland leadership and staff for a special training retreat in October, at the Mount Washington Conference Center in Baltimore. The retreat was devoted to a review and analysis of the federation's operations, and the identification of specific strategies and practices capable of increasing the federation's efficiency and effectiveness.

The retreat placed special emphasis on four key areas: legislative and political power; organizing and mobilization, communications, and community engagement.

Dr. Lorretta Johnson, Secretary

From our friends at the Democratic Women's PAC of Maryland:

2012 brought many exciting victories for women leaders across the country, but the path to electoral and professional success for women today remains challenging in many ways. Women still have to work smarter and harder to raise money, to credential ourselves as viable leaders and candidates and to gain access to professional and financial networks often still shut off to women today..

Fortunately, there are a number of groups here in Maryland working hard to break down these barriers. I look forward to joining two of them: the