This month, we have had two bargaining sessions with the State: one on Wednesday, November 1 at State Center in Baltimore and one on Wednesday, November 15 at the AFSCME Maryland union hall in Baltimore.
During these two sessions, we covered the following proposals and topics:
- Health and Safety Issues
We proposed language to address unsafe indoor and outdoor air quality and heat safety. We asked for statewide notifications to be sent out on days with dangerous heat indexes or air quality and for certain safety protocols to be followed on days where the heat index is above 80 degrees and above 100 degrees. - Telework
This is being negotiated separately from our overall contract negotiations. We’ve come close to wrapping up telework negotiations but are still awaiting a list from the State of which classifications are eligible and if there are any exceptions within a job classification. - Payment for Overtime for Non-Exempt Employees
We proposed language removing limits to hours of compensatory time that can be received or how many times the choice between cash or compensatory time can be made during each pay period. - Weingarten Rights and Disciplinary Procedures
We went back and forth with management around their language to have a manager provide employees with a form to sign making them aware of their rights to representation. The AFSCME team felt strongly that this language was lacking. Management’s proposed language does not specify any consequences for the manager for failing to inform an employee of their rights. - Bereavement Leave
We proposed language to expand and clarify when bereavement leave can be accessed, including situations involving death of an in-law or coparent. - Vaccination Leave
We reached a tentative agreement with the State on providing a total of 2 hours of vaccination leave a year to receive a flu and/or COVID-19 vaccination. - Other Leave Policies
We went back and forth with the State to reinstate COVID leave and to create a standardized COVID leave protocol. We also discussed military leave and proposed removing the cap on how military leave a state employee can use and expanding military leave to everyone in uniformed service, such as for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). - Contractual Employment
We proposed language to convert contractual employees to PIN positions with the same full rights and benefits that other state employees have. The State wanted to push these discussions to labor management committee meetings, but our team pushed back. We will be discussing further and working on a framework for reducing the State’s reliance on contractual employees.
In addition to these topics, we also responded to the State’s counter to our wage proposal. The State reported that they are predicting a $200 million deficit and will update us in December with additional projections. The State’s current counter proposal is ONE STEP and a 2% COLA (cost of living adjustment). The COLA would take effect on July 1, 2024. This is unacceptable, and the AFSCME team will be countering.
We will hold our next negotiation session on Wednesday, November 29 at State Center in Baltimore. Don’t forget to wear GREEN to support your bargaining team that day!
It’s clear that the State thinks that they can get away with proposing such a mediocre increase. Now it’s up to ALL of us to demand better. Join us in taking the following actions to stay INFORMED and INVOLVED, so we can win the contract we deserve!
After our next negotiation session on Wednesday, November 29, join us for our November State Bargaining Town Hall happening from 7 PM to 8 PM on that day. It will take place via Zoom. We’ll be sharing more updates about how bargaining with the State has been going and what actions we will need to take. You can register here.
In addition to the virtual November town hall, you can join us in taking the following actions:
- Wear GREEN on bargaining days! Snap a photo of your coworkers and you wearing your AFSCME GREEN, and send your photo to info@afscmemd.org! We’ll be posting these photos on our social media.
- Post these graphics on your social media to share with your networks about what we’re fighting for! There are different image options you can use as your profile picture, your cover photo, or even your Facebook and Instagram stories!
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NOTE: Access to bargaining information is limited to bargaining unit employees (units A, B, C, D, F, and H). Be aware that details of proposals, counterproposals, and related discussions in closed collective bargaining sessions are private and confidential communications protected from unilateral public disclosure during collective bargaining negotiations under SPP § 3-501(e). Such details should not be made public while collective bargaining negotiations are taking place. The above materials in this post include details and therefore should not be circulated to the public or publicly.