INDEPENDENT FINDINGS SHOW CRITICAL LACK OF RESOURCES FOR PUBLIC SERVICES
December 5, 2017
Contact:
Jazzmen Knoderer
443-562-1118
[email protected]
BALTIMORE – AFSCME Maryland President Patrick Moran today released the following statement in response to an independent arbitrator’s findings and recommendations on state employee rights and wages:
“AFSCME Maryland members called attention to the ongoing issues around staffing and wages and the Hogan administration called them political operatives. Now, an independent third-party has confirmed our union’s claims and offered recommendations about what this administration should do to avert further crisis in state government.
“These recommendations are the latest in a series of rebukes of this administration and Hogan’s ability to lead Maryland. From the state’s own budget analysts sounding the alarm on staffing and wages, to the courts holding Department of Health officials in contempt and auditsexposing mismanagement and unethical practices, it’s apparent that Governor Hogan is asleep at the wheel.
“The facts are clear. Public service employees provide critical services that protect and support communities across Maryland, but receive little respect or resources from this administration. Governor Hogan can no longer ignore the writing on the wall. Every day that passes without a strategy to allocate the resources needed to improve and manage the state’s workforce is a day that communities are at risk.”
The third-party arbitrator’s findings were made available to members of the Maryland General Assembly. Some of the key recommendations include a cost-of-living increase for State employees, step increases and pay equity for current and new employees hired to the same classification.
The recommendations come amid the union’s ongoing contract negotiations with the state. The existing contract is set to expire at the end of this year.
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