The City Union of Baltimore hosted their annual membership meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, to update those in the union of all the ongoing affairs of the local. There was a solid attendance that filled most of the main room in the union hall. One of the strengths of the union is a strength of the city, and that is its brilliant diversity. That diversity was on display during the meeting. The meeting largely consisted of updates and reports. The retiree chapter report was given by Donald Morris as he touched on a number of issues that the current retiree chapter is working on including but not limited to a resolution of the prescription drug benefit coverage question for city retirees.
The financial report given by Kedrick McIntyre informed members of the upcoming fiscal year 2020 budget as well as explained a dues increase on account of per capita increases. McIntyre also explained to the membership what per capitas are and the relationship between affiliated organizations. President Antionette Ryan-Johnson went into greater detail about the affiliated relationships with AFT-Maryland, AFT, and AFL-CIO. She also delivered a state of the union that updated members on everything the union has done to benefit members over the past year. She noted the negotiating victories as well as political victories.
President Ryan-Johnson, brought the union’s attorneys Dan O’Connor and Duane Verderaime before the body to discuss ongoing labor negotiations as well as any updates to the contracts that members needed to know. Following their presentation, the body received good news. CUB’s own Raquel Robbins was named Baltimore City Department of Public Works employee of the year. Ms. Robbins has been a steward for the union since December 2018 and works as a Liaison Officer in the Bureau of Water and Wastewater.