We need YOU to help pass our legislation!

Why did you join the Maryland Defenders Union?

  • You want fiercer advocacy for our clients?
  • You want to fight for worker health and safety?
  • You want career advancement and better compensation?
  • You want a sustainable workload?
  • You want to be able to challenge workplace policies and practices that hurt us and our clients?

Then we need your help to pass MDU's merit conversion bill! This bill will end "permanent probation" for attorneys and formalize their status as civil servants. Once attorneys are merit employees – like core staff and social workers already are – we will be able to stop looking over our shoulders and pursue all of our goals together, without fear of reprisal. And once we are all merit employees, we can fight for collective bargaining rights for all of us! Collective bargaining will give us the power to negotiate together for better pay, fair advancement, and reasonable workloads for all OPD employees. When we unite, we win!

Please join us on Monday, February 8 at 5:30pm to lobby legislators on this key bill. Register here! If you want some practice beforehand, join us tomorrow, Wednesday, February 3 at 7:00pm for a legislative training. Register for that here.