Press Room

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AFSCME Members in Western Maryland Fear Coronavirus Spread in State Facilities & Communities

“Over the weekend, the number of cases in Maryland’s correctional facilities almost doubled. Juvenile Services workers weren’t even allowed to wear protective masks until this week. And Potomac Center Staff in Hagerstown are being given two masks to last for a week,” said AFSCME Maryland President Patrick Moran. “These facilities house men, women and children from across the state, and the lack of urgency from state agencies is placing our members and their neighbors in Western Maryland at risk.”

Largest State Employees Union Opposes Governor's Decision to Cut Hazard Pay for State Workers During the Pandemic Crisis

During the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the largest state employees union, AFSCME Maryland, strongly disagrees with Governor Hogan’s decision today (Saturday, March 21st) to cut hazard pay for state workers who are expected to report to work.

AFSCME Calls on Governor Hogan to Fill and Fund Parole & Probation, DJS & Corrections Positions to Reduce Crime in Baltimore and Address Massive $250M Overtime

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Today, AFSCME, Maryland’s largest and fastest-growing union for public service employees, joined with Advocates for Children and Youth, ACLU of Maryland and NAACP Maryland to call on Governor Larry Hogan to address the State staffing crisis that is damaging efforts to reduce crime in Baltimore City and reducing services to the citizens of Maryland in agencies across State government, including Health, Juvenile Services and Public Safety & Correctional Services.

Unions and Community Partners, joined by Tom Perez, Urge Governor Hogan to Allow Workers Bills to Become Law Despite History of Vetoes

Annapolis- The Governor has until April 8th to sign several presented bills into law, allow them to become law without his signature, or veto them. In his two terms, Governor Hogan has vetoed numerous bills that would improve or impact Maryland workers and signed few into law. This year, working people and their unions are coming together to urge the Governor NOT to veto important legislation and obstruct further progress for working people.

First Maryland Correctional Officer Loses Life to Novel Coronavirus

Baltimore Maryland- Today, AFSCME Maryland learned that a Correctional Officer died because of the Coronavirus. At this time, the Department is working to notify the Officer’s family including some who work for the Department of Corrections (DOC). The Officer passed away Monday, June 8th.

AFSCME Maryland Statement on December 3rd Indictment

AFSCME Maryland Statement on December 3rd Indictment Baltimore, Maryland- AFSCME Maryland learned today of the indictment and arrest of 25 correctional officers and employees. The correctional officers charged today should receive the process and rights that they are due under Maryland law and the US Constitution. They are innocent until proven guilty.

AFSCME Maryland Members Speak Out to Support Passage of Workplace Violence Prevention Bill by U.S. House of Representatives

WASHINGTON—Today, the House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 1309, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, which demands the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issue a workplace violence prevention standard requiring employers within the health care and social service sectors to develop and implement a plan to protect their employees from workplace violence.