Council 3 Updates

Orioles Union Night 2023

It's that time of year again to enjoy America's pastime with America's Unions!

2023 Legislative Session Wrap-up: Leveling the Playing Field with Management

This year’s 445th Maryland Legislative Session welcomed a new administration, over 40 new legislators, and new committee chairs.

A United AFSCME Maryland: Unifying AFSCME Council 3 and Council 67

This is an exciting time to be an AFSCME member in Maryland! Starting April 2023, AFSCME Council 3 and AFSCME Council 67 will begin the unification process to form a united AFSCME Maryland.

AFSCME Reaches Agreement with DBM Over Retro Response Pay

AFSCME has reached a signed agreement with the Department of Budget and Management over retro pay for DBM’s COVID-19 Response Pay. This differential was restarted on April 7th for both the $3.13 response pay and $5.13 quarantine pay for classifications as designated by the Department of Budget and Management- click here to review the list. 

Looking at the Fights Ahead: Preparing for 2022

AFSCME Council 3 members are already preparing for the fights ahead in next year's legislative session. 2022 will be an important year for our union and for Maryland. Next year, we will elect our next Governor, Comptroller, State Senators, and State Delegates. This is our time to elect new leaders and positively change the direction of Maryland's public services. 

May Day 2021 Message from President Patrick Moran

This year, we recognize Workers Memorial Day (April 28th) and International Workers’ Day (May 1st) remembering those workers who were injured, became ill, or died because of hazards like COVID-19 at work. We honor the sacrifices of Maryland’s public service workers throughout the past year and leading our recovery effort. I hope each of you takes a moment to pause and acknowledge what we have endured over the past year.

AFSCME Council 3 Higher Education Members Achieve Legislative Victory

After three years of organizing, testifying and lobbying AFSCME Council 3 members at University System of Maryland (USM) Schools will finally have the opportunity to have one master agreement covering them all.  Senate Bill 9 was lightly amended in the House and passed both chambers of the General Assembly this session, awaiting to become law. 

DBM Response Pay Re-Starts & Negotiations Ongoing Over Backpay

Earlier this month, Governor Hogan announced a new supplemental budget for $100 million which will be used to fund COVID-19 Response Pay through the end of 2021. This includes both the $3.13 response pay and $5.13 quarantine pay for classifications as designated by the Department of Budget and Management- click here to review the list.

Statewide Telework Policy Passed in the Last Hours of Session

With the typical AFSCME spirit of “it’s not over until it’s over,” union-supported legislation to create a statewide Telework policy for both the public and private sectors passed the General Assembly as the clock approached midnight on Monday, April 12 – the last day of the legislative session. 

Re-Elect Jamaal Craddock to Board of Trustees For Maryland State Retirement and Pension System

AFSCME Council 3 has endorsed Jamaal Craddock for re-election to the Board of Trustees For Maryland State Retirement and Pension System. Voting materials will be sent via the mail starting May 14th, 2021, and will be conducted via the phone or internet. Our Executive Board is proud to endorse Brother Craddock and looks forward to working together to ensure our pension fund is protected.

Emergency Pay Grievance Update: April 2021

Since the beginning of the pandemic, AFSCME members have made it clear that DBM’s response pay was a violation of our contract language on emergency pay. In response, we filed the largest group grievance against the State of Maryland to enforce our contract and are in the final step of the grievance procedure. The recent announcement about COVID-19 backpay (the $3.13/hr for limited classifications- review the list here) does not impact our case.