Fighting for Workers' Rights in Annapolis

It’s all hands on deck as we fight for what's right. We're fighting for pay equity and the respect public employees deserve.

Information about bills Council 3 supports are  available to review online. It's easy to find full descriptions of the legislation — just enter the bill number on the General Assembly's website. 

What you need to know
Here's a run-down of the important 2018 bills we're lobbying for at the State House. The bills are arranged by their assigned Senate and House committees, with links to contact information to committee members. 

Appropriations and Finance Committees
HB 864/SB 654: Evergreen legislation —Sponsored by Delegate Aruna Miller and Senator James Mathias 

This legislation says that if collective bargaining negotiations are not resolved by the statutory deadline, the existing terms and conditions in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will remain in place until there is a new contract. This “evergreen” language is common in other states’ labor laws and allows for stability of the rules governing state employees.

HB 1017 and SB 677: Union Rights/ Orientations/Names and Addresses — Sponsored by Senator Rich Madaleno and Delegate Marc Korman

This bill allows the Exclusive Representative (elected union) to receive a list of those it represents on a quarterly basis as well as a list of new hires within 30 days of hire. It also requires for the union to have access to employee orientations. This bill is important because of the pending Supreme Court Decision (AFSCME v. Janus) that may likely deny public employee union service fees for workers they represent, who choose not to be union members.

SB 338 and HB 335: Union Grievances — Sponsored by Senator Brian Feldman and Delegate Keith Haynes

This legislation allows the Exclusive Representative (elected union) to file a grievance
regarding union rights and/or on behalf of a group of employees on a workplace issue
Currently only an individual employee may file a grievance.

SB 464 and HB 523: Fair Pay Rates for State Employees — Sponsored by  Delegate Shelly Hettleman and Senator Cathy Klausmeier

State jobs often pay less than private sector positions. So, in a tight labor market, it is more difficult to recruit state jobs. There are state policies that allow for hiring a new employee at an accelerated pay rate, if there are problems with recruiting and retaining employees in a given class. This makes sense for recruiting purposes only. If new employees leapfrog over existing employees it is unfair and demoralizing to those dedicated workers who have already been providing the same public service. This legislation is about fairness, but it is also about acknowledging that it is at least as important to retain current employees, as it is to recruit new ones. Click HERE to watch AFSCME Council 3 Political and Legislative Director Sue Esty testify in support of the legislation. 


HB 629 and SB 568: Shift Differential bills — Sponsored by Delegate Kirill Reznik and Senator Roger Manno

This important legislation increases shift differentials to $2 per hour for all employees.


HB 643 and SB 678: Special Appointments in the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) — Sponsored by Delegate Adrienne Jones and Senator Joanne Benson

This legislation requires that ‘At Will’ employees be reclassified to become members of the merit system.


Environment and Transportation and Judicial Proceedings Committees


SB 445 and HB 531: "Move Over" bill Sponsored by — Delegate Anne Healey and Senator H. Wayne Norman, Jr. 

This legislation will require drivers to MOVE OVER whenever they’re approaching certain official service vehicles flashing amber lights. Under this legislation, drivers must make a lane change or slow down or both, unless otherwise directed by a police officer. Highway Administration and the Maryland Transportation Authority who work every day on Maryland highways. Every year, Maryland state highway workers are injured by careless drivers. As more and more drivers are texting and on their cell phones, this common sense legislation offers a reasonable solution that will save lives and prevent injuries. UPDATE: The “Move Over Bill” came out of the Senate Judicial Proceedings with a Favorable recommendation and is on the Senate Floor!  The only amendment to the bill put the whole committee on as sponsors!


Appropriations and Budget and Tax Committees


HB 629 and SB 568: Retiree Prescriptions — Sponsored by Delegate Carol Krimm and Senator Nathaniel McFadden

Unless we change the law, there will be a problem with prescription coverage for retirees. There will be a gap in coverage for six months and coverage dependents and spouse will be removed.


HB 1165 and SB 378: Service Credit of Military Service Equalization — Sponsored by Delegate Pat Young and Senator Ed DeGrange

We’re fighting for legislation to allow a military service credit of up to five years for State correctional officer and State police active duty retirees — even if they’re eligible for a military service retirement. If passed, this bill could serve as much needed recruitment tool for the dangerously understaffed Division of Corrections and for the State Police. Currently some employees can get service credit, but it does not cover all services.


HB 36 and SB 510: 20-year Retirement for Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Employees — Sponsored by  Delegate Michael Jackson and Senator Guy Guzzone

This important legislation would place certain Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) employees in the Correctional Retirement System. The bill is focused on the DJS employees who have the most direct day-to-day contact with the youth under their care and supervision. Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services employees provide much needed front-line services for Maryland’s at-risk-youth. While providing vital services, these dedicated public employees face difficult situations and possible injury every day. Like correctional officer positions in the Division of Corrections, these DJS jobs are challenging and sometimes dangerous.

Economic Matters and Finance Committees


SB 48 and HB 205: Workers Compensation — Sponsored by Senator James Mathias and Delegate Luke Clippinger.

Currently, State correctional officers with a permanent partial disability are not compensated at the Public Safety Compensation Rate which is twice as high as the general rate. Correctional officers from many of Maryland counties are eligible to receive this larger Workers’ Compensation benefit. State Correctional Officers put their lives on the line every day to keep Maryland safe and they deserve to be covered by the Public Safety Workers’ Compensation Rate through this legislation. UPDATE: This legislation just received a unanimous Favorable vote in the Senate Finance Committee, only a few minutes after the Hearing. The only amendments were to ADD more co-sponsors!


Judiciary and Judicial Proceedings Committees


HB 202 and SB 361: Expedited Medical Review Panels in the Maryland Department of Health (MDH)  — Sponsored by Delegate Dan K. Morhaim and Senator Justin Ready

This legislation authorizes a court to order administration of medications to a defendant found incompetent to stand trial or not criminally responsible and show findings to allow administration of medications.

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