News

Day One of the AFT biannual National Convention got off to a rousing start. Delegates and visitors from all across the nation convened on Minneapolis, MN, for the 100th anniversary of the organization (#AFT100). Members kicked off the morning with a breakfast hosted by the Baltimore Teachers Union. AFT-Maryland President Marietta English addressed the breakfast and laid out what the members from Maryland could expect moving forward during the convention.

The convention proper kicked off in a rousing fashion with President Randi Weingarten’s state of the union address. Included in her remarks

Baltimore County Public Employees had an opportunity to meet and greet the leadership of the two local unions affiliated with AFT-Maryland, which represent them. Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees (BCFPE) and the Baltimore County Federation of Public Health Nurses (BCFPHN) executive boards welcomed and engaged members at the Drumcastle Center in Towson, MD.

Members had an opportunity to express both appreciation and concerns to their unions. Some asked about tuition reimbursement opportunities in the contract as well as work conditions and requirements made of them by the county.

BC

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

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

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