Nearly 5,000 Maryland Supervisors Join AFSCME for Collective Bargaining

The Facts -

Historic Expansion of Collective Bargaining Rights in Maryland

Annapolis – In a significant development for labor rights, close to 5,000 supervisors across Maryland have opted to join AFSCME Maryland, Council 3. These supervisors, designated as Unit S employees, are now set to negotiate their inaugural union contract.

Walter Moore, Jr., a Security Attendant Supervisor at Springfield Hospital Center, expressed satisfaction, stating, “We work alongside state employees who are working towards the same agency goals as we are but they had a stronger voice and a union contract to ensure their hard work was rewarded and respected.” He emphasized that union certification would address key issues such as overtime compensation and workload management.

The overwhelming support for unionization was confirmed through a mail-in ballot conducted by Maryland’s Public Employee Relations Board, where the majority of supervisors voted in favor of joining AFSCME Maryland Council 3.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders applauded the decision, stating, "We are proud to welcome nearly 5,000 state supervisors into the AFSCME family and congratulate them on winning their union. They know a voice on the job is essential for ensuring workers have what they need to continue delivering critical public services and strengthening our communities."

Patrick Moran, President of AFSCME Maryland Council 3, highlighted the union's longstanding presence, noting, “For decades, AFSCME Maryland has been the largest union for state employees. Now, nearly 5,000 state supervisors finally join the rest of their AFSCME family in securing a union contract.”

Yolanda Downing, a Correctional Officer Lieutenant at the Chesapeake Detention Facility, underscored the importance of union representation, saying, “Safe working conditions, proper staffing levels and ensuring every one of my coworkers makes it home to their family at the end of their shift – those are reasons why we need a strong union voice and why I worked so hard to secure today’s win.”

This pivotal election follows a year-long collaboration between state supervisors and AFSCME Maryland, culminating in the passage of HB 260/SB 192. This legislation, signed by Governor Wes Moore in April, marked one of the state's most significant collective bargaining expansions in decades.

Maryland's state supervisors join their counterparts from states like Connecticut, New York, and California, as well as local supervisors in Prince George’s, Baltimore City, and Howard County, in organizing under AFSCME’s umbrella.

Michael Lawson, Acting Assistant Superintendent/Bus Maintenance Supervisor at the Maryland Transit Administration, acknowledged the new opportunities this unionization affords, stating, “With our union, we as supervisors can finally have a say in workplace policies that affect us, such as expanded hours, how our scheduling works, how comp time works, and more."

About AFSCME Maryland Council 3

AFSCME Maryland Council 3 represents more than 50,000 public service workers in local, city, county, and state government as well as in higher education. Their contributions are vital to the functioning and support of communities across Maryland, from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore.

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