Dear Member
Your voices were heard LOUD and CLEAR.
Our bargaining team negotiated a fair and equitable raise in the next fiscal year. That means, come January 1, 2019, members of Bargaining Unit E will receive a 2% raise. If revenues beat projections in 2018, you will also receive an additional half-percent raise and a $500 bonus.
Concrete, guaranteed 2% raise next year.
What’s more, we negotiated two additional health care premium holidays in March of 2018, this is on top of the two premium holidays employees currently receive. You will pay no insurance premiums! That means more money in your pocket. More importantly, employer/employee benefit cost-sharing levels for 2018 and 2019 will remain at their current levels.
All nursing classifications will be eligible for a $3,000 Retention and Attendance Bonus in each of the next three years of the contract. The criteria for obtaining the bonus has been entirely revised in order provide clarity and be reasonable, based on a quarterly measurement and payment period.
Additionally, we worked with the State on clarifying the PEP and workplace bullying policies and agreed to create a statewide Indoor Air Quality Labor Management Committee to address sick buildings.
Employees will continue to receive a $500 training and tuition reimbursement for job-related training and coursework.
You spoke out and were heard.
This was a negotiation that required some give-and-take. We agree to limit release time for union steward activities during work hours to 16 hours per pay period. The contract will also clarify that new job classifications must have new higher-level duties before employees receive a 6% pay increase for moving to a new classification.
We fought hard—for a fair and equitable pay increase—and we succeeded. As you’ve been telling me over the past few months, a fair and equitable pay increase means that you can breathe a little easier at the end of the month, better afford child care, or maybe put a little bit away for your child’s college in a few years.
This new 3-year contract puts more money in your pockets, makes you safer in your workplace, helps clean the air you breathe every day, and shows you deserve respect for the invaluable service you provide to the people of Maryland.
Next Steps
A ratification ballot and information will be mailed to your home along with a summary of the tentative agreement. The new proposed MOU will be posted on our website for your inspection. We will also be hosting lunch and learn worksite meetings and phone calls to provide information on the agreement.
Contact your Field Coordinator by email at afthealthcare@afthcmd.org with questions to set up a worksite meeting, or call 443-863-7171.
Happy Holidays
In Solidarity,
Debra Perry, President