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JUSTICE AND EQUALITY

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Maryland’s Unsung Heroes On The Front Line: Maryland Park Rangers

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Maryland Park Rangers are on the frontline serving Marylanders during the COVID-19 pandemic in a unique way.  Parks are a holistic approach to the mental and physical challenges we face. Since state parks are essential in contributing to the overall health and well-being of Maryland citizens, there is a substantial impact on Maryland Park Services (MPS).  As attendance continues to skyrocket, budget cuts in the department have left them with less contractual help to deal with the crowds. This has led to increased park closures, greater vigilance to manage traffic control, and response to emergencies in the park. Of greater importance and concern is the increased exposure Rangers have to the thousands of daily visitors to state parks. 

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Maryland’s Unsung Heroes On The Front Line: Mindy Lawson

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A Cost-Effective Solution To Budget and Health Concerns

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With budget concerns looming, placing state employees on the chopping block to mitigate budget shortfalls, would seem like a logical solution for some decision-makers that are less than forward-thinking.

But here in Maryland- known for its innovation, education, and wealth- and in current news, a Governor pronounced as one of the most astute in our nation.  Any decision to lay off or furlough state employees is not the solution. (Frankly, there's no place to cut given we operate under-staffed as it is.)    

The answer to our budget concerns lies in the change of how we conduct business moving

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COVID-19 ELEVATED LEVEL 2 STATUS

Governor Hogan has ordered movement to an Elevated Level 2 status for all Executive Branch agencies, this means:

  • All non-emergency essential personnel who can perform their duties from home must do so in order to help contain the spread of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Employees who telework shall be compensated for their work at their regular rate of pay.
     
  • All teleworkers must sign the Interim Pandemic-Associated Teleworking Agreement.
     
  • During this period of mandatory telework for non-emergency essential personnel, State operations are NOT shutting down, but public access to State
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MPEC Info Table at DLLR

Valentine’s Day is a day of love, and MPEC was in the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulations (DLLR) spreading union love. Organizer Aaron Ray tabled at the facility during lunchtime. He engaged workers on a number of issues, but one that drew the most interest was reclassification and back-pay associated with it. There are a number of state employees at that agency who have recently been or will soon be reclassified and become a part of the MPEC bargaining unit. For some, this will come with pay increases. Those potentially affected were curious and spoke with the organizer about what

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