Legislation that contains largest expansion of collective bargaining rights in past decade now heads to Governor’s desk
Annapolis – In the final week of the 446th Session of Maryland’s General Assembly, AFSCME Maryland celebrated the passage of a number of important bills that are now headed to the Governor’s desk. These bills include:
- HB 260/SB 192 (State Personnel - Collective Bargaining - Supervisory Employees): This bill would allow over 5,000 supervisors employed by the State to collectively bargain.
- HB 609/SB 591 (Library Workers Empowerment Act): This bill would allow over 3,000 people who work in Maryland’s public libraries to form and join unions and participate in collective bargaining.
- HB 1005/SB 972 (Correctional Officers' Retirement System – Membership): This bill corrects a decades-long mistake that left certain state hospital workers in the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) ineligible to join the Correctional Officers' Retirement System (CORS). Once this legislation is signed into law, these workers will be eligible to participate in the CORS 20-year retirement plan.
In total, over 7,000 workers will be eligible for collective bargaining once HB 260/SB 192 and HB 609/SB 591 take effect, representing the largest expansion of collective bargaining rights at the legislative level in the last few decades.
“Once again, AFSCME members showed up and made their voices heard in Annapolis. Now, these three important pieces of legislation are on their way to the Governor’s desk. These three bills will help Maryland continue to recruit and retain public sector workers who provide our communities with essential public services. We also thank Governor Moore for including negotiated raises for state workers in his budget, and we look forward to continuing our work together to ensure Maryland’s working families are not left behind,” said AFSCME Maryland President Patrick Moran.
Quotes from AFSCME Members Impacted by HB 260/SB 192 (State Personnel - Collective Bargaining - Supervisory Employees):
“Winning collective bargaining rights for all of us as state supervisors is not just about fair compensation; it's also about acknowledging the invaluable contributions we make to keep our state services running. Now, through our union with AFSCME, we will be able to create work environments that foster dedication and commitment without compromising our voice or personal well-being,” said Yolanda Downing, a Correctional Officer Lieutenant at the Chesapeake Detention Facility.
"Having collective bargaining rights as state supervisors will allow us to be a part of the solution as we facilitate issues, concerns, and expectations between our front line staff and agency leadership and administration. When I was a correctional officer sergeant, I was grateful to have a voice at work, but it was disappointing to hear that I couldn't use my voice when I took this supervisor role. Having a union contract will give us a much needed seat at the table to help negotiate positive change. This is exciting news for all of us as supervisors who are passionate about the future of our state services. Through my union AFSCME, I'm proud to be a part of the change that we want to see,” said Elisha Mack, a Security Attendant Supervisor at the Spring Grove Hospital Center.
Quotes from AFSCME Members Impacted by HB 609/SB 591 (Library Workers Empowerment Act):
“I am so excited to see the Library Workers Empowerment Act passed. This was a critical step towards ensuring the health and stability of our libraries in the long run. As a library worker, I really appreciated working with AFSCME and the bill sponsors to make sure our library communities get the safety and support they deserve. This was a great opportunity to make our voices heard in both Annapolis and in our workplaces, and I am excited to join the Howard County Public Libraries staff and the Enoch Pratt Free Library staff in having the freedom to form and join a union. I am so proud to help ensure other library staff can have their voices heard too,” said Ellie Nelson, a part-time employee for Anne Arundel County Public Libraries (AACPL).
“I spent many Monday nights this session in Annapolis with other AFSCME members, lobbying to pass the Library Workers Empowerment Act. This bill gives library workers statewide, including those of us who work for Anne Arundel County Public Libraries, the rights we need to collectively bargain and certify our union. For me and my coworkers, this has been a powerful experience, the first of many to come as we join together to make AACPL a place for everyone,” said Laura Kellman, a library assistant at the Severna Park branch of AACPL.
Quotes from AFSCME Members Impacted by HB 1005/SB 972 (Correctional Officers' Retirement System – Membership):
“I’m grateful to all of the AFSCME members who worked hard to make sure our legislators in Annapolis understood this issue. The work we do is essential but takes a toll on us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Now with this legislation, I will be able to retire with dignity after my state service,” said Shelley Oliver, a Direct Care Assistant II at Springfield Hospital Center.
"The work we do in our state hospitals is hard work. Many of us have had traumatic experiences in these facilities. This legislation comes as a sign of hope and promise that our legislators do care for our state employees and that they understand the daily struggles we face in our jobs. When all is said and done, this legislation will give me more time to spend with my family after my state service,” said Peter Ayeah, a Licensed Practical Nurse III at Springfield Hospital Center.
“In the nearly two decades I have spent working for the State of Maryland and in my time at Springfield Hospital Center, I have seen it all. We face the same kind of danger that those who work in our correctional facilities do because our patient population is ordered by the court to be in our hospital. I’m proud of the work that I do, but as a cancer survivor, I know that tomorrow is never promised. With this legislation and the amazing work of AFSCME members, I now have more choices about how I want to retire and when, and I am grateful to our elected leaders for recognizing the difficult work that we do,” said Nikki Gonder, a Licensed Practical Nurse III at Springfield Hospital Center.
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About AFSCME Maryland Council 3
AFSCME Maryland Council 3 represents nearly 45,000 public service workers in local, city, county and state government as well as in higher education who provide the valuable public services that our communities rely on. From Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore, we make Maryland happen.
