On Saturday 4/8 the bargaining team presented nine articles and TA'd three: Academic Freedom, Membership Dues, and Strikes and Lockouts. There were no changes to Academic Freedom. Membership Dues was updated to comply with Right to Work legislation. The original Strikes language stated that the union would not call a strike; the new language also stipulates that the university will not lockout lecturers.
In the aftermath of the House’s stunning failure to pass a budget (due to Republican intra-party feuding), the Senate becomes the focal point of attention, as it works to develop a budget proposal. Using Governor Sununu’s budget proposal as a starting point, the Senate will craft a budget and attach it as an amendment to a House bill. That amended bill will then be sent back to the House, which will of course reject the bill, forcing a committee of conference to hammer out the final details of the State’s 2017-18 biennial budget. So, much remains to be done, but much of it will occur behind the scenes, in negotiations between the Senate, the Governor, and the House. Stay tuned-this will not be finished until June 2017.
The 2017 Maryland Legislative session has ended and the Governor’s budget did not include a COLA or funding for step increments. Still, the legislature did move forward on some bills that benefit state employees
The locals of AFT-Maryland came together for a financial services workshop that was attended by many of the treasurers and leadership of the various locals of the state federation. The workshop was led by Kay Neipert, CPA, CFE, CICA from the AFT.
Thanks to all who attended our productive meeting. The following schools were represented:
Colleagues,
Last Tuesday, we came close to finalizing a deal with the Newark Public Schools, but thankfully the NTU negotiations team caught some last minute issues and wisely pumped the brakes.
