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AFT-Maryland organizer Robin Raynor helped organize a meeting between state workers at Spring Grove Hospital Center and elected officials. State Sen. Bill Ferguson and Del. Brooke Lierman joined union staff and members at the facility to discuss the ongoing challenges state healthcare workers face. This meeting continues a series of meetings AFT-Maryland have set up across the state. In advance of the legislative session, the state federation is working to get members face-to-face with elected officials so they can hear what the work experiences in state facilities are like.

Del. Lierman asked

AFT Healthcare-Maryland sent members and staff on a “blitz” to organize employees in bargaining Unit E. The blitz brought committed member activists together with staff from AFT-Maryland, AFT’s national office, and our partners at AFSCME to engage public health care professionals across the state and bring them to the union. The blitz was led by Robin Raynor who has extensive experience organizing Unit E employees.

AFT Healthcare-Maryland has reason to be optimistic: following the blitz, member density at one facility is up to 66%. The union has benefitted from enigmatic and charming member

Healthcare professionals at Clifton T. Perkins turned to their union when they wanted changes at their facility. Their union, AFT Healthcare-Maryland, hearing the demand from members, arranged a meeting with state legislative leaders so they could hear from our members just what was going on in their districts. State Senator Guy Guzzone and Delegate Terri Hill met with AFT Healthcare-Maryland members at Perkins Hospital Center. Del. Hill shares quite a bit in common with the members at the facility, as she is also a trained medical professional. Her knowledge led to a robust conversation

Following the legislative session in Annapolis, state lawmakers have an opportunity to walk the streets in their districts to get an on-the-ground sense of just what is going on. For Delegate Pat Young, that meant a visit to Spring Grove Hospital Center. He sat down for a candid conversation with members of AFT Healthcare-Maryland and AFSCME. The wide-ranging discussion provided members an opportunity to express their frustrations and concerns to an elected official who has their interests at heart.

Del. Young listened as members told stories about being understaffed, assaults on workers, and a

The AFT Healthcare-MD negotiation team has entered into a tentative agreement with the State of Maryland to amend the Memorandum of Agreement for bargaining unit E employees dated January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2020. The bargaining team recommends that you vote to accept this tentative agreement. The terms and provisions of the Memorandum of agreement are to be modified in the following manner:

Wages

Effective no later than July 1, 2019, a general cost of living adjustment wage increase (COLA) consisting of 3% will be added to each grade and step of the pay plan(s) affecting bargaining unit

The Maryland Department of Health is Unhealthy! This is the message that AFT Healthcare-Maryland members wanted the public to know when they held an organizing rally and a press conference during a day of action. Members were frustrated with the poor indoor air quality, the persistent infestation of rodents and roaches, as well as the non-potable water. This all comes after a giant snake was found stuck inside a mouse trap in the 201 W. Preston St. complex.

Members came to the podium and addressed news cameras, telling their stories about what the working conditions were like in the Maryland

An election for Board of Director positions at AFT Healthcare-Maryland will be held in November. The election will include the following positions: President, Executive Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, 2 Area Vice-Presidents, Chief Shop Steward, Eastern Region Vice-President, Central Region Vice-President, and Western Region Vice-President. To be eligible to run for office in your union, you must be a member in good standing for at least one year. If you are interested in running for office, submit a biography including your state position, your activity in the union, and the position you

No matter how much rain there is, we know after the rain, there is sunshine. While this was true for Maryland weather, this was also true for workers at Springfield Hospital Center. On  Wednesday, September 19th, there was an all-day cookout that celebrated the employees at the facility. Tiffany’s Catering provided the food and staff provided the engagement and the fellowship.

AFT Healthcare-Maryland was there informing workers of the benefits of membership as well as meeting with members and even hearing testimonials from members who were grateful for the work the union does for them. A number