In October, we have had two bargaining sessions so far: one on Wednesday, October 4 at State Center in Baltimore and another on Wednesday, October 11 at our union hall at the AFSCME Maryland Bush Street office in Baltimore.
In these last two sessions, our AFSCME team gave comprehensive wage proposals to the State that include COLAs (cost of living adjustments) and Step Increases. We also proposed additional enhancements including additional Step Increases based on years of service, childcare subsidies, funds for licensure, and additional pay for conducting trainings. We also highlighted that every state job title needs an Annual Salary Review (ASR), a process that adjusts the grades of a job title so that the pay is more competitive and reflective of the work.
We also put forth proposals to improve the disciplinary and grievance procedures and to enhance our Weingarten rights, which is our right to request a union representative during any meeting with management if it could possibly lead to discipline. We asked for improved union access to worksites and our fellow members, enhanced steward leave so that members can have sufficient time to do union business during the day, and the conversion of contractual employees to full state worker status with access to the same pay, benefits, and rights that AFSCME members have.
Lastly, we made a proposal to improve the light duty modified assignment program, so that members can make a safe transition as they return to work.
The State Management team asked us a series of questions around our proposals and pledged to work with us to create a comprehensive list of job titles needing Annual Salary Reviews.
Management’s questions were thoughtful, and they will be countering our proposals in the next bargaining session. The overall tone and tenor of our bargaining sessions so far has been productive and a marked difference from how the previous administration under Governor Hogan treated state workers.
We will be meeting with the State on Wednesday, October 18 at State Center in Baltimore.
Recap of State Bargaining Town Hall
On Wednesday (October 11) evening, hundreds of AFSCME members joined our virtual town hall to discuss how bargaining is going and how we can take action together to win the fair contract that we deserve.
As we continue bargaining with the State, please 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!
- Sign up TWO new members during our October Week of Action happening October 23-27. We’ll be visiting worksites across the state letting everyone know how bargaining is going and how to get involved.
- And if you’d like to get more involved by joining our Member Action Team or if you want more information about upcoming opportunities during the Legislative Session, let us know here.
It will take all of us paying attention, staying informed, and getting involved to win the contract we deserve!
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.