The AFSCME Bargaining Team has had their final bargaining session with the State for the FY27 wage negotiations and was not able to accept the state’s final offer received December 31. However, if you are owed a FY26 step increase in January, this is secure.
The State’s final proposal was not acceptable; it stripped our members of our no furlough guarantee, offered no step increase, and a 1.5% cost-of-living increase that is well below the rate of inflation. The AFSCME Bargaining Team fought tirelessly for better pay but could not accept this final proposal from the state. Now, AFSCME members need to take our wage fight to the legislative session starting in two weeks. In addition to securing our raises, our main priority will be passing binding arbitration to ensure a fair process for negotiations going forward.
2025 AFSCME Bargaining Team Priorities
- State workers keeping up with the cost-of-living (rate of inflation)
- Recognizing the need for multiple step increases
- Protecting job security of state employees through no furlough and no layoff language
The State of Maryland’s Proposals
- Our AFSCME Bargaining Team moved the State from an initial 0.5% cost-of-living increase to a 1.5% cost-of-living increase. However, this was still below the 2.9% rate of inflation.
- No step increase. The State was willing to modify their step scale to move it to 2% between steps instead of the current 1.9%. This did not include an actual step increase, but an incremental adjustment to the scale.
- No guarantee they would honor no furloughs during calendar year 2026.
- Offered a no guarantee small one-time bonus, $500, (that would not add to base pay) for 2027.
Taking the Fight to the Legislature
We are taking our fight to the legislature. We will be holding a rally/press conference for public services on January 14 at 11am at the AFL-CIO’s building in Annapolis (7 School St.). Fight with us to secure our raises, and RSVP for the rally here.
Join Us
We will be holding a Zoom Townhall on Tuesday, January 6 at noon and on Thursday, January 8 at 6pm to hear from our bargaining team about the next steps.
Become a Member
When it comes to negotiations, your membership matters. When our membership is strong and united, the State takes us seriously, which means being able to win big at the bargaining table. If you are not currently an AFSCME member, you can join at www.afscmemd.org/join.
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NOTE: Access to bargaining information is limited to bargaining unit employees (units A, B, C, D, F, H, and S). 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.