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Baltimore City Council Candidate Forums

AFT-Maryland will interview candidates who want to represent your district in the Baltimore City Council. Members of AFT-Maryland affiliated local unions are invited to attend, to ensure the candidates know our members' priorities.

Help us decide who to support for the AFL-CIO Endorsement.

 

Districts 2, 3, 12, & 13 (click for flyer)
Thurs., Feb. 4th, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Districts 1, 8, 9, 10, & 11 (click for flyer)
Wed., Feb. 10th, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Districts 4, 5, 6, 7, & 14 (click for flyer)
Tues., Feb. 16th, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
CANCELLED due to weather conditions.

All Forums will be held at the Baltimore

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Come to Lobby Night in Annapolis Feb 22nd

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Last year, Governor Hogan put our members on high alert. He cut funding to Baltimore City Public Schools, demanded cutting each state agency by 2% and attempted to remove collective bargaining rights from teachers and staff at public charters schools.

Because of YOUR efforts in Annapolis last year, we were able to keep the 2% for state and government workers, and protect collective bargaining rights teachers and staff at public charter schools. JOIN US again this year!

Read more...

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Member Spotlight: Chris Czarra

Meet Maryland Professional Employees Council (MPEC) member Chris Czarra. He is a park ranger at Patapsco State Park working in the Department of Natural Resources.

He joined the union recently in June 2015 after two organizers knocked on his door. Although he's only been a member for a short time, he is already preparing to become a union steward. Among the benefits he says the union provides are protection of employee rights, fighting for fair pay, and allowing employees to speak openly about work conditions. Another great benefit of the union is the unity among members across different state

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Step Increase, Job Cuts for State Employees

The governor's $42 billion Maryland State spending budget has been unveiled, and it includes a step increase for State Employees without the cuts to overtime or sick leave rights that he originally proposed. This is a big win for union members, who have fought hard for this increase.

On the other hand, the governor has proposed eliminating state employee positions to "right-size" many departments. Other positions and services could be privatized, which means lower wages and no union contract.

NOW IS THE TIME TO SPEAK UP.

Join us for Lobby Night in Annapolis this Monday, Jan. 25th. AFT-Maryland

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Wellness Program changes for State Employees

Unit G and E employees can save money in 2016 and 2017, thanks in part to negotiations held between the State of Maryland and representatives from MPEC and AFT Healthcare-Maryland.

Maryland DBM Secretary David Brinkley announced the changes to the wellness plan this week. The wellness plan is part of the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, which is designed to make healthcare more affordable for State employees while improving overall health.

“These changes to the Wellness Plan address the concerns of state employees and will help many more take advantage of the

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Join AFT-Maryland for Lobby Night in Annapolis

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*** RESCHEDULED ***

Due to the blizzard and hazardous road conditions, the Lobby Night scheduled for Mon. Jan. 25th has been rescheduled for Mon. Feb. 22nd.
We hope you'll join us then!

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Public Employee Survey

Attention Maryland Public Employees!

Please take a few moments to take the 2015 Maryland Public Employees Bargaining Survey. This survey will help your bargaining team determine your priorities for contract bargaining, and will ensure that your voice is heard.

Click here to take the survey: http://aftmd.us/MDPESurvey2015

911 Workers Protest Shift Changes

Baltimore County 911 call center employees protested a threat of major scheduling changes on Monday night outside county headquarters in Towson. The Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees (Local #4883) organized the rally, and members of other unions attended to show their support, as well, including 911/311 call center employees from Baltimore City, who are members of the City Union of Baltimore (Local #800). 
 
Union members are protesting a mandatory rotating shift policy. The shift change has already caused dozens of 911 call center employees to leave the department, which is now
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MPEC Members Fight Sickle Cell Disease

Members of the Maryland Professional Employees Council (MPEC) gave of their time and energy Saturday, August 29, 2015 to support the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. The group raised funds and manned a table during a fundraising walk to raise awareness and money for research to combat this very serious illness.

MPEC partnered with various community groups including a Baltimore-based group called The Ladies of Distinction to do more than just raise money and awareness for sickle cell. They also passed out books to the youth in attendance as well as registered citizens to vote. MPEC

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Wellness Plan Healthy Activities deadline extended!

The State has extended the 2015 Wellness Plan healthy activities deadline to December 31, 2015. This means that participants now have an additional 90 days to complete the following activities for 2015:

  1. Select a Primary Care Physician (PCP)
  2. Complete the health risk assessment; and
  3. Review the results of the health risk assessment with their PCP.

For those individuals not completing the activities by December, the $50 surcharge will be delayed until April.  Details will be available on the DBM website and the medical carriers' websites.

Those deadlines are as follows:

The 9/30/15 deadline for Wellness

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