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.

Emergency Pay Grievance Update (July 2020)

Emergency Pay Grievance Update

 Last month, AFSCME Council 3 filed the largest group grievance in Maryland’s history of collective bargaining with the State of Maryland for violating our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Results of AFSCME Local 1319 Officer's Election

Local Officer's Election Result: July 8th, 2020

AFSCME Local 1319 members have elected new local officers. Ballots were counted under the supervision of Election Chair Brother Patrick Okafor (AFSCME Local 1678). 

President

Fighting to #FundtheFrontline: Bargaining Tomorrow

Fighting to Fund the Frontline

After successfully stopping the Hogan Administration from unilaterally implementing devastating cuts at the Board of Public Works meeting on July 1st, AFSCME Maryland immediately reached out to schedule bargaining with the Governor and his team.

AFSCME's Campaign To Reject Cuts to Public Services Leads to Victory

AFSCME’s Campaign to Reject "draconian” Cuts to Public Services Leads to Victory 

The vote is done AND WE WON! As of late last night, under heavy pressure from AFSCME Maryland and our allies, the Governor pulled all personnel items from his proposals today. Both Comptroller Franchot and State Treasurer Kopp spoke out against the cuts and their intention to vote NO. 

Alternative to State Service Cuts

Alternatives to State Services Cuts

The Hogan Administration has proposed draconian fiscal cuts to State services, while significant revenue savings and enhancements sit untouched. Below are just a few examples.

Funds / Accounts

Description

Update About Cuts to Maryland's FY21 Budget

The State of Maryland is currently facing a more than $1 Billion dollar deficit because Maryland is projecting to collect far less taxes due to the COVID19 pandemic. This is a result of everything shutting down here and all over the world. The Governor wants to bargain in order to close the budget deficit by cutting state employees pay and benefits before the new fiscal year start on July 1st. DBM has continued to attempt to enforce arbitrary timelines and refuse to release members of our bargaining team to participate in these sessions. However, there is no law that says we have to bargain now and our current contract is in effect through the end of 2020. There is no legal past practice or written law requiring we negotiate any kind of agreement before July 1st.

Briefing on the Availability and Suitability of PPE for Frontline State Employees

On June 9, the Maryland Senate Finance Committee and House Appropriations Committee held a briefing on how the state has been handling PPE during the Coronavirus pandemic. Hogan Administration officials from the Division of Corrections, Department of Health, Department of Juvenile Services and Department of Human Services testified to the numbers of PPE that had been acquired since the beginning of the pandemic. Their charts and numbers were made to impress, and the numbers themselves are impressive. But AFSCME members also testified and painted a picture of day-to-day reality that belied the rosy presentations of the Administration.

AFSCME 3's Guide to Safe Working Conditions During the Pandemic

COVID 19 Pandemic and Maryland State and Higher Education Institutions

As Maryland looks to reopen its state office buildings and public higher education institutions, ensuring health and safety in the workplace must be the highest priority. AFSCME Council 3 has been demanding testing, personal protective equipment (PPE), plans and emergency pay for essential employees who have been showing up to work daily during this crisis.