News

WHAT'S NEW WITH MDU #6: NEW AGENCY HEAD EDITION

In this exciting edition of the Maryland Defenders Union newsletter:

Take the MDU's Workload/Caseload survey today!

There's one thing all OPD employees can agree on – our workloads are far too high. Attorneys are swamped with cases, social workers are spread too thin across the whole agency, and core staffers are doing the work of two or three employees. It's bad for OPD workers and especially bad for our clients.

This Wednesday, August 4: MDU's Collective Bargaining Campaign Kickoff

Join us on this Wednesday, August 4th at 7pm! We are relaunching our organizing campaign to win collective bargaining rights for all employees.

WHAT'S NEW WITH MDU #5

In this edition of the newsletter:

WHAT'S NEW WITH MDU #4

In this edition of the newsletter:

  • An update on the legislative session, including our merit conversion legislation and MDU testimony about OPD's budget;
  • A  report from the meeting between MDU's Executive Board and the OPD Board of Trustees;
  • MDU's endorsement of an exciting campaign to pass the PRO Act;
  • And plans for our April General Body Meeting!

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MDU wants YOU!

We need your help to push our merit conversion legislation (to give assistant public defenders the same protections that our core staff and social workers have) out of committee. Please make a two minute phone call today.

Today's testimony regarding merit status for OPD attorneys

Today, Paul DeWolfe is testifying before the Maryland General Assembly in a last-minute effort to discourage lawmakers from providing merit status to assistant public defenders. He is trying to mislead lawmakers into believing that merit status is bad for us and our clients. But you know the facts: merit status would give OPD attorneys the protections we need to advocate for our clients without fear of retribution or retaliation.

Legislative Update and Upcoming Events

JOIN THE MOVEMENT!

We are the Maryland Defenders Union, an association of the frontline workers of the Office of the Public Defender whose labor is essential to the agency’s mission of providing outstanding representation to indigent clients. We are strongest when we speak together, work together, and fight together. Are you ready to join us?

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