On Monday, March 8th, Governor Hogan announced a $1,000 bonus for all state and higher education employees in Maryland going into effect on April 14 for most employees, and April 21 for University System of Maryland employees. This will be helpful to the tens of thousands of Maryland public employees who have been working on the frontline throughout the pandemic under dangerous conditions.
The Governor’s announcement today proves that the state has been in stable financial condition despite the Governor’s attempt to cut our pay by 5%, cut healthcare, and cut positions last summer and into the fall. The Governor praises himself for avoiding furloughs despite attempting and failing to enforce them all last year! We know who he really is.
What the Governor is offering is a small acknowledgment of a large undertaking by our state workforce. The Governor has continually refused to bargain meaningful wage increases. Instead, he offers a one-shot cash bonus. It doesn’t permanently raise wages, and it doesn’t help recruit and retain state workers already working without enough staff and resources. This has been an incredibly difficult year for frontline state employees but it’s clear that the state’s economy is still thriving. Now is the time for the Governor to invest in our frontline employees to ensure we can recruit and retain staff! When we fight, we win!
The Governor’s announcement today proves that the state was in stable financial condition despite the Governor’s attempt to cut our pay by 5%, cut healthcare, and cut positions. The Governor praises himself for avoiding furloughs despite attempting and failing to enforce them all last year! We know who he really is.
Send a Letter and Urge Legislators to Make This Bonus a Permanent Increase
We are urging legislators to make this one-time bonus a permanent increase by amending the Governor’s submitted budget. State and higher education employees who have been on the frontlines deserve more than a bonus, especially after Governor Hogan tried to cut our pay for months as the virus spread. Stay tuned for more updates & send your letter now!
When we fight, we win!
