Press Room

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University System of Maryland Workers Overwhelmingly Ratify First System-Wide Union Contract

Historic contract improving pay, benefits, and working conditions covers nearly 6,000 workers

AFSCME Maryland Members Rally After Fellow Parole and Probation Agent Davis Martinez’s Death

Over 100 union members call for improved safety protocols, safer staffing levels, and accountability from state leaders during rally outside Catonsville District Court

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

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.

AFSMCE Demands Funding and Immediate Action for Dangerously Understaffed Department of Human Services

ANNAPOLIS- Ahead of today’s annual budget hearing for the Department of Human Services, AFSCME members are speaking out about rampant understaffing and under-resourcing in the agency. DHS workers oversee adult and child welfare, provide benefits and assistance to families struggling economically, and many more services. DHS is our social safety net, and our members put the “human” in human services. As of January 2022, DHS has 882 vacant positions for a vacancy rate of 14.7% - the highest vacancy rate of any public safety, health, and human services state agency.

AFSCME Gathers to Honor Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Launch Campaign to Strengthen Worker’s Rights in Maryland

Annapolis- AFSCME Council 3 members will gather this evening to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and launch our campaign to strengthen worker’s rights in Maryland. Members will gather to rally virtually, due to COVID safety protocols, on Zoom. Members will be joined by and hear from AFSCME National President Lee Saunders and Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones as well as former Labor Secretary Tom Perez and Del. Brooke Lierman and others.

Crisis in Baltimore Corrections: Fire, Spoiled Vaccines and Assaults Creating Dangerous Conditions Inside State Facilities

AFSCME Council 3 members are raising alarm about a growing crisis of dangerous conditions inside Maryland State Correctional Facilities. Since 2016, AFSCME members have spoken out about poor working conditions and low pay making it difficult to recruit and retain frontline staff. Compounded by the pandemic, the staffing crisis has become even more acute impacting the safety and quality of life of detainees.

AFSCME and the State of Maryland Reach a Tentative Agreement on a Contract for 2021-2023

On December 31st, 2021, members of AFSCME Council 3’s bargaining reached a tentative agreement with the Hogan Administration for a new contract after months of difficult bargaining. The agreement provides for almost 12% in raises to 20,000 frontline workers including social workers, nurses, direct care assistants, correctional officers, highway workers, juvenile service workers, case managers, and many others. AFSCME was also able to secure additional COVID response pay and leave at the 11th hour of negotiations for its members battling COVID on the frontlines. The raises consist of a combination of step advancements that have long been deferred by the administration and cost-of-living adjustments that are crucial to keeping State employees’ families secure and stable.

AFSCME Unanimously Endorses Brooke Lierman for Comptroller of Maryland

BALTIMORE- Today, AFSCME Council 3 and AFSCME Council 67 are proud to jointly announce their endorsement of Delegate Brooke Lierman for Comptroller of Maryland. Together, the two councils represent over 50,000 state, county, municipal, school board and higher education employees across Maryland. The vote to endorse Lierman was unanimous, a testament to her fierce advocacy for organized labor, her unparalleled ability to deliver results for working families, and her vision to create an economy that works for all Marylanders.

Sentenced After 20 Years: Justice for Family of Murdered Correctional Officer

SALISBURY, MD- Today, the family, friends, and co-workers of Gregory Guy Collins will finally see justice as the sentencing for his murder will be announced twenty years after his death. On June 4th, 2001, after his shift at the Eastern Correctional Institute, Collins was murdered by John Michael Ingersoll Jr. For 18 years, Officer Collins's family had waited for justice as the case sat cold until last year when the Maryland State Police announced the charges. A grand jury convicted Ingersoll of first- and second-degree murder on Friday, September 13th.

AFSCME Endorses Tom Perez for Governor of Maryland

BALTIMORE- Today, AFSCME Council 3 and AFSCME Council 67 jointly announced their endorsement of candidate and former Maryland and U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez to be our next Governor. Together, the two councils represent nearly 100 local unions, over 800 worksites, and over 50,000 state, county, municipal, school board and higher education employees across Maryland.