We at the City Union of Baltimore are deeply saddened to hear of the violent death of a city employee. Our heart & prayers go out to the victim's family and all members of AFSCME Local 44. We in labor are all brothers and sisters and when tragedy strikes one of us, it strikes all of us.

The workplace should never be a place violence calls home. The women and men who do great work for this city should feel safe and comfortable performing the necessary task to make Baltimore great. We are terribly saddened by the news and offer our sincerest prayers and condolences to the family and loved ones of

Members of CUB's Retiree Chapter recently attended AFT's annual New Retiree Leader Seminar. (Pictured are CUB Retiree Chapter President Laverne Foster and member Donald Morris, with Ruby Strickland from Orange County Florida CTA.)

The annual seminar is an opportunity for leaders of newer chapters to talk about how to engage members so that they will be more active in their chapters, and to learn how to build connections with both active members and the community. The goal is to help retirees to continue their support and work with their local union, says Lauren Luchi, manager of the AFT's

Over a hundred members of the unions that make up AFT-Maryland took to Annapolis to engage their elected representatives. Lobby Night as it is called gave members and activists an opportunity to extend their voices directly to the people that they elected. Nearly all of the locals that make up AFT-Maryland were represented and union members did not hesitate to ask Delegates and State Senators tough questions. 

 

Members were there to press elected officials on state budget priorities, school vouchers, education assessments, community schools, due process for state employees at the Maryland

The 2016 Maryland State Legislative Session is full of challenges for public employees. Help us move our agenda for working families as we call for:

• better funding for Baltimore City Public Schools,
• safe work and learning environments for all state workers, educational professionals, and students,
• due process rights for Maryland School for the Deaf teachers,
• eliminating bullying from management in the workplace,
• and much more!

Read about our positions on the issues by clicking the following links:

• State Budget
• Education Assessments
• Community Schools
• School for the Deaf
• Workplace Bullying
• Partially Elected

Delegates and State Senators in Annapolis made their way to the Maryland Inn Monday night for an AFT-Maryland legislative reception. It was well attended by labor leaders and elected officials alike. The staff and service at the Maryland Inn was superb as politicians got a chance to meet with important figures in Baltimore and ostensibly Maryland's labor movement.

Local presidents such as John Ripley (BCFPE), Karen Pilecki (BCFPHN), Maria Mathias (MPEC), Yvonne Rice (CUB), and Marietta English (AFT Maryland and BTU) were in attendance. Conversation around serious political issues were minimal

As the race for elected office in Baltimore City continues, AFT-Maryland hosted a candidate forum for those running for City Council in Districts 2, 3, 12, and 13. Among those in attendance were Brandon Scott, Tony Chrisitan, Marques Dent, Jermaine Jones, Ryan Dorsey, George Van Hook, Jason Pyeron, Gary Crum, Shannon Sneed, and George Johnson. Members listened as each candidate presented their vision for Baltimore City and the specific districts they seek to represent.

The forum tackled mainly education questions including the question of funding for Baltimore City Public Schools. Some