Council 3 Updates

Remembering Brother Glen Middleton

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Brother Glen Middleton yesterday evening. Brother Middleton was a fierce leader who inspired so many of us in the labor movement today.

Member Spotlight: John Clark

Sixteen years ago, John Clark was babysitting his granddaughter at home when he saw an advertisement on TV that Baltimore County Public Schools was hiring bus drivers.

Pay Equity for DOL Inspectors: When We Fight, We Win

The inspector units in the state of Maryland do key work to keep the community safe. Amusement ride Inspectors make sure our kids are safe in amusement parks. The elevator inspectors provide a vital service that keeps everyone safe every time they step inside an elevator in Maryland. When you see those inspection tickets inside the elevator- these are the people keeping us safe. The boiler inspectors also make sure boilers throughout the state are functioning properly, such that we don't have to worry every time we enter a building with a boiler. 

AFSCME Members Fight for $15 and Respect at the University System of Maryland and UMB

Members from AFSCME Local 1839 rallied on Monday, August 16th, to demand the University System of Maryland increase the minimum wage to $15/hr and respect frontline workers. AFSCME Council 3 represents almost 800 frontline staff who have worked hard with little respect throughout the pandemic including hundreds at UMB. University staff that AFSCME represents have wages starting below $15 per hour.

Check out the video from this event: https://fb.watch/7IZJHGj9yr/

Statewide Emergency Pay Grievance Update August 31st, 2021

When the pandemic began 18 months ago, frontline workers stepped up. The Hogan administration appropriately followed our MOU and paid workers emergency pay for the first two weeks of the crisis. Since those two weeks, AFSCME Council 3 has been engaged in collecting grievant submissions and pursuing the largest case against the State of Maryland ever filed. 

AFSCME Council 3 Connecting Veterans to Resources

With the recent news of troops leaving Afghanistan, AFSCME Council 3 is supporting veterans and sharing information about important resources available.  Many may find the news triggering or upsetting but it’s critical to remember that what is happening now does not minimize the sacrifices of those who served. There is not one way to think or feel or act. The important thing is to be aware of the many mental health resources available to you. 

New Telework Legislation Became Law This Year: How Does It Impact State Employees?

Chapter 696 of the Laws of 2021 set about creating a framework for telework policy for employers and employees.  It is an effort to acknowledge the changed workplace brought on by the pandemic, as well as an attempt to create new guidelines and assistance for the state’s workforce and its businesses.

AFSCME Leaders at Morgan State Raise the Wage and Stop Outsourcing

After 5 years of organizing, AFSCME local 1885 at Morgan State has won its biggest victories.  This week, the Morgan State Board of Regents passed a policy that would make all remaining contractual employees State, giving them benefits for the first time. 

AFSCME Wins Safety Enhancements for DGS Security Officers

AFSCME Council 3 members in AFSCME Local 1535 from the Department of General Services won safety enhancements by fighting together! Security Officers were concerned about the lack of safety for staff working at the entrance of 500 N. Calvert St. 

Preparing for Safe Campus Re-Openings in Maryland

After a long and difficult pandemic year, our AFSCME members in Higher Education are eager to bring back students this fall. Currently, our locals are engaging with the University System of Maryland to ensure safe campus reopening’s this August. We think the voices of parents, students, alumni, and all staff should be included when campuses are making these decisions on how to safely reopen.