On Wednesday, September 27, we kicked off our first bargaining session with the State of Maryland at our union hall at our Bush Street office in Baltimore.
This year, our entire union contract for state workers is up for negotiation. Our AFSCME Bargaining Team is made up of members from all regions of the state, all of our bargaining units, and across a variety of job classifications and will be representing us at the bargaining table.
Pictured: Members of the 2023 AFSCME State Bargaining Team at our first bargaining preparation meeting.
On the state side, their team was led by the Secretary of Budget and Management Helene Grady. She spoke about the progress that she and Governor Moore’s administration have already made with us in the first 9 months of his term, such as the longevity step increase that went into effect in July for state workers who have been continuously employed since June 30, 2018. Secretary Grady also stated that they do not foresee budget deficit forecasts causing layoffs or furloughs, but it’s up to us to hold them accountable to their words and ensure that doesn’t happen.
While efforts like a longevity increase are a step in the right direction towards validating the essential work that AFSCME members do, our AFSCME bargaining team highlighted the continued need for the State to provide the resources and funding our agencies need to recruit and retain staff. That means a more competitive and fair pay scale, making our jobs and caseloads more manageable and safer, and more so that we can deliver important and needed services to our communities.
The AFSCME team gave two proposals at this first session. First, we proposed that ALL AFSCME bargaining unit positions receive a pay increase through an Annual Salary Review (ASR) that ensures that the pay for each job classification accurately reflects the skills and experience needed. We requested that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) provide us with their list of which positions they believe need an ASR. Second, our team proposed that the State cease hiring contractual employees to do the work that state workers do. We proposed that the State convert the status of the current contractual employees and ensure they have the same rights and benefits that other state employees with PINs do.
After this session, the AFSCME bargaining team reconvened to refine more of our proposals that we will be presenting in the coming weeks during negotiations. We have an ambitious bargaining schedule and will be meeting with the State weekly throughout October. Our next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, October 4th at State Center in Baltimore.
As we move forward with our bargaining sessions with the State, it’s important to keep in mind that what happens away from the bargaining table is just as important as what happens at the table, if not more! So stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to take action and put pressure on the State to do the right thing!
—-
Attend our State Bargaining Virtual Town Hall!
On Wednesday, October 11, we will be holding our State Bargaining Virtual Town Hall from 6 PM to 8 PM on Zoom. During this time, we’ll cover important updates on state bargaining and plan for our next action to win a good contract and raises. This event is virtual so that we can build solidarity and power in every corner of the state.
Note that this event is for AFSCME members only.
If you are not currently a member, you can join online by filling out this membership form here.
—-
NOTE: Access to bargaining is 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.