So far, in November, we have had two bargaining sessions with the USM (University System of Maryland): one on Wednesday, November 8 and another on Tuesday, November 14. Both sessions took place in Baltimore in the AFSCME Maryland offices.
As always, the AFSCME USM Bargaining Team is composed of AFSCME members who work at college campuses across the state that are part of the University System of Maryland, including Frostburg State University, Bowie State University, University of Maryland College Park, and more. The USM Bargaining Team is composed of administrators from each of these campuses.
At these bargaining sessions, we made tentative agreements on the following topics:
- Prohibiting discrimination in employment
- Paying overtime the next regularly scheduled pay day
- Requiring necessary and reasonable accommodations
- Articulating new probation rights
- Clarifying accident leave
- Allowing attendance for job interviews
We also discussed additional proposals and topic areas, including the following:
- How often to meet and minimum number of meetings per year for labor management committees (LMC)
- Standards for healthy indoor air quality
- Heat safety standards when indoor and outdoor temperatures exceed safe threshold
- Union access to campus areas where AFSCME members work
- Additional union building language
Overall, USM management continues to struggle to respond to our proposals and continues to deflect on important topics, such as health and safety.
We continue to await a substantive response from the USM team on a number of proposals, including the following: our wage proposals, tuition remission for USM employees, child care assistance, public transportation benefits (especially in light of the USM’s environmental sustainability initiatives), and eliminating a reliance on contractual employees and instead converting them into bargaining unit positions with full job rights and protections.
Our next bargaining sessions will be on Monday, November 20 and Tuesday, November 21 at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
As we continue to bargain with the USM, the actions we take away from the bargaining table are critical to ensure the USM feels the pressure to do the right thing and that we can win the contract that we deserve. If you are currently a member, continue to stay informed and educated on your contract and your workplace rights. And if you are not a member, you can join online here. Every person who joins increases our ability to win more raises, better workplace policies, and a great contract.
Here’s what Jontae Thomas, a Mechanical Trades Chief at Bowie State University, had to say about what bargaining with the USM has been like:
“It just blows my mind that they fight against things that are right for our people, the ones who provide for the university and the kids. Winning pay increases isn’t just about personal gain; it’s about providing better living conditions for all staff members and fostering a sense of growth and opportunity within the university.
Coming together with folks from different universities and building relationships has been incredible. What started as different locals with different priorities has turned into a strong unified front standing up for all our members.
Think about joining our union and our movement as a fight for our rights. We need everyone’s support and voice.”
You can read Jontae’s full story here.
