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[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"72630","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image media-image-left","style":"width: 250px; height: 250px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 5px; float: left;"}}]]"...War!" this declaration has been made by many government leaders, including our Governor. The impacts of Coronavirus have many parallels to World War II and the Vietnam War. Some include the current economic cycle, the expansion of government and the debate of civil liberties, and the rising death tolls national leaders have compared to war figures.  And last but not least, the equivalent of frontline employees and frontline soldiers who put themselves at risk for the good of others.

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!!

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[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"72619","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image media-image-right","style":"color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; width: 33%; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 5px; float: right;"}}]]Join AFT-Maryland for a presentation on
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.

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[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"69010","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","style":"width: 100%; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;"}}]]When Gov. Hogan proposed to solve the state’s fiscal challenges on the backs of state employees, MPEC stood tall and fought back. President Jerry Smith quickly mobilized the membership to engage in a massive lobbying campaign to members of the Board of Public Works to reject hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts to state workers. Following intense letter writing and phone calling efforts, MPEC held a caravan outside of the Maryland State Treasurer’s Office to encourage Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot to reject the proposed cuts.

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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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[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"68085","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image media-image-right","style":"width: 200px; height: 200px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 3px 2px; float: right;"}}]]Mindy Lawson is a rehabilitation teacher at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center, the state’s forensic psychiatric hospital. While teachers in other facilities across the state telework, she continues to report to the hospital daily. Initially, her job was not deemed essential; however, during a state of emergency, management can make non-essential employees essential and alter their work duties, which changed her job status.  

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