Council 3 Updates

For the first time, our contract covering 20,000 state employees in Units A, B, C, D, F, and H contains language allowing us to have five Chief Stewards!

Giving Thanks

The holiday season has started, and we have a lot to be grateful for — all because of the work that AFSCME members do each and every day across the state of Maryland. I am particularly grateful that we are now working as a unified AFSCME, collectively working together in every city, county, school district, university, and state agency to serve our communities.

A seasoned Mechanical Trades Chief at Bowie State University, Jontae Thomas has spent over a decade taking care of the fire alarm systems and electrical issues on campus. His journey into union activism was influenced by his family. “My uncle worked for the Post Office, and he was heavily involved in his union and stood up for a lot of his fellow union members. He instilled that in me — that duty to try and help everyone.” Jontae says he takes his uncle’s advice to heart, and it has informed how he operates as president of AFSCME Local 1297. “I want people to feel supported.

Two years ago, Will Schmager accepted a job with the City of Salisbury as a Computer Technician. His day to day involves ensuring the various IT-related requests that come in each day go to the right person in his department to resolve. But in this past year, when he wasn't on the job, Will dedicated his time to talking to coworkers as they organized to form a union.

Bargaining for a Slice of the Pie

"It’s a busy season of bargaining! Our united AFSCME Maryland is currently bargaining on a number of different fronts with employers, including the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, University System of Maryland, City of Takoma Park, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore Museum of Art, Walters Art Museum, Morgan State University, St.

Here is what Dawn Jackson, an Animal Operations Manager at the University of Maryland College Park and executive board member of AFSCME Local 1072, has to say about what it's like to bargain with the university system:

Warren has been with UMD for over 20 years and says that in that time, he's witnessed a significant improvement in the work environment thanks to our union.

For over 17 years, Mike Hill has worked to protect our community waterways and to keep our neighborhoods clean and safe. A Collection Technician for WSSC Water (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission), Mike keeps sewer mains in Prince George's County and Montgomery County flowing and free of blockages. "I'm basically there to protect our environment and our houses, to help keep our sewers flowing so no one has to experience a basement backup.

"The best part about my job is being able to work with UMES students and encouraging them to overcome obstacles as they work towards obtaining their education. I love to make sure the department I support is running as efficiently as possible. I enjoy helping the students that are part of the women’s organization on campus that I advise receive volunteer hours and understand the importance of giving to the community they are a part of.