Scarlett Ahmed has started counting the number of people sleeping outside the Queens Career Center in New York City when she arrives at work in the morning.

“It was already bad,” she said. “But this? This will just add to it.”

Summer is here, bringing intense heat and humidity with it. This means dangerous working conditions for many on the job. AFT Maryland and the City Union of Baltimore (CUB), along with a coalition of labor unions, recently scored a victory for worker safety during the hot days of summer. Together, we worked for new regulations to protect workers from the increasing risk of heat-related illnesses on the job.

The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) division of the state’s Department of Labor (DLLR), finalized the new heat illness prevention rules with implementation to begin ahead of the 2025 summer season. 

Under the new rules, employers must take specific actions when the heat index hits 80°F or higher. 
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This is an important week for AFT Maryland as we proudly celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, Nurses Appreciation Week, and Public Service Workers Recognition Week. AFT Maryland represents dedicated workers who keep our communities running: educators, healthcare workers, state employees, and civil servants. You are the backbone of our schools, hospitals, agencies, and institutions, and the value you bring to Maryland cannot be overstated.

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Members are needed to email, text, and lobby your legislators! This letter is a great place to start.

If you work with forensic patients and want to be included in the 20-year retirement, we need you to lobby for a bill this session. Senator Hettleman is sponsoring a bill to add supervisor and management positions over the AFSCME classifications that were added by legislation last year. We are attempting to have our members added to this bill - HB 1029 and SB 768.

The state has said they do not have the resources to include our members this year. Send a letter to show your support. 

Join us for UNION NIGHT IN ANNAPOLIS 
on MONDAY, MARCH 10TH!

We will join with union members from across the state for this rally organized by the AFL-CIO. Hear from union leaders, community leaders, and legislators about what we've been fighting for this legislative session! After the rally, join us in the State House to hear some of the proceedings.

Click through for RSVP, bus information, and MORE

The signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Maryland and AFT Healthcare-Maryland, AFT, AFL-CIO Local 05197 for the period between Jan. 1, 2024 and Dec. 31, 2026 is available for members to view on our website, as well as on Maryland.gov.  

Click here for the links to the document.