News

MPEC Wraps Member Engagement Blitz

The Maryland Professional Employees Council (MPEC) Local 6197 recently wrapped up a successful and productive member outreach campaign. The initiative was a collaborative effort between the AFT-Maryland and the local union. During the campaign, staff from the state federation and the local were joined by member-activists who volunteered their time to connect with colleagues and potential members to inform them about the ongoing contract negotiations, to communicate the union’s priorities, and to encourage those who were not members to join the union.

Read on for more about the member engagement blitz...

MPEC Kicks Off Contract Campaign at MDE & MLGCA

Maryland Professional Employees Council (MPEC) Local 6197, kicked off a contract campaign for state workers in Unit G. The union is in negotiations with the state for a new contract and is seeking to educate members on the existing contract, as well as rally support for demands to be included in the new contract. To accomplish this, the union will visit worksites from late October through mid-November.

Read on for more about the campaign, and photos from the Kick-off Event!

Smears vs. solutions

Randi Weingarten at a Massachusetts high school

Summer is upon us, and parents, children and teachers are winding down from what has been an exhausting and fully operational school year—the first since the devastating pandemic. The long-lasting impact of COVID-19 has affected our students’ and families’ well-being and ignited the politics surrounding public schools. All signs point to the coming school year unfolding with the same sound and fury, and if extremist culture warriors have their way, being even more divisive and stressful.

Stewards are the lifeblood of any union. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance that unions offer training to continue to develop and strengthen their stewards. The Maryland Professional Employees Council Local 6197 (MPEC) hosted their stewards for training on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. The training covered a wide range of topics, informing those in attendance of the responsibilities of stewards. CLICK TO READ > > > MORE

What unions do

In AFT President Randi Weingarten’s latest New York Times column, she describes what it is exactly that unions do. Though unions are the most popular they have been in decades, anti-union sentiment still thrives in red states and across the nation. “Several years ago, The Atlantic ran a story whose headline made even me, a labor leader, scratch my head: ‘Union Membership: Very Sexy,’” Weingarten writes in the column. “The gist was that higher wages, health benefits and job security—all associated with union membership—boost one’s chances of getting married. Belonging to a union doesn’t actually guarantee happily ever after, but it does help working people have a better life in the here and now.” Click through to read the full column.

Unsung Heroes Hike and Press Conference

Maryland Park Rangers call on Governor Hogan to honor the State's commitment to release COVID-19 Response Pay. These State Employees seek compensation for their work responding to a need for safe and healthy ways for residents to maintain mental and physical health during the state-mandated "Stay At Home" orders during the pandemic.

Unsung Heroes Hike and Press Conference
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Hike at 2:00 p.m. starting at Arnold Park
Press Conference at 4:00 p.m.
Lawyers Mall, 100 State Circle, Annapolis

JOIN US: RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/forms/unsung-heroes-hike-rallyreception/

Download

STOP THE SABOTAGE OF STATE PARKS

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While some may debate the use of "war" to describe the current times, the severe effects of the Coronavirus are certain. Therefore, we all have a responsibility to act in the best interest of Maryland's recovery, especially those in a position of authority and serving as Heads of State Agencies making decisions that affect citizens' lives.

Frontline soldiers are the first line of defense in this war, and the best strategy is to reinforce the frontline. This is done by providing them the resources and support necessary to perform their duties and maintain morale. Morale wins wars!!

CLICK TO READ

Town Hall: Understanding Workers' Comp and COVID-19

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Understanding Workers' Comp
and Maryland Presumptive Language on COVID-19.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021
from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
via Zoom Webinar.

CLICK FOR

HOW THE FIGHT WAS WON

Our concerted efforts to stop the draconian cuts were successful! The Board of Public Works voted 2:1 to delay $205 million in cuts to state employees.

Over the past week, we have trended in media outlets such as the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, US News, Union Times, MSN, Maryland Reporter, and others. Together we took a stand against the Hogan Administration’s budget plan that did not allow the proper due diligence and collaboration from our bargaining unit. As employees that keep the state moving, we know the challenges of this pandemic—the the threats to the safety and well-being this