AFSCME praises expansion of collective bargaining for supervisors in MD

MARYLAND – Workers Union AFSCME Council 3 praising  HB 260/SB 192 (State Personnel – Collective Bargaining – Supervisory Employees) being signed into law in a bill by Governor Wes Moore.

This legislation allows over 5,000 supervisors employed by the State of Maryland to now collectively bargain.

“Our administration has always been proud to lift up, and support, the work that our dedicated state employees do. This bill underscores that. By working in partnership with AFSCME, state supervisors can choose their exclusive representative, and we can continue our efforts to reduce vacant state government positions. We are ensuring that more of the people who make Maryland happen every day have a voice in our shared future,” said Gov. Moore.

The legislation goes into effect October 1, 2024. A majority of state supervisors will need to demonstrate support for AFSCME as their authorized collective bargaining agent as the first step in order to start the process of negotiating a union contract.

AFSCME already represents nearly 45,000 public service workers in Maryland, including over 20,000 state employees across a variety of state agencies.

AFSCME Council 3 President Patrick Morgan tells 47ABC that at least 1,000 of those supervisors work on the Eastern Shore, in roles including roadside construction, public safety, and clerical roles throughout state government.

“Supervisors who often work side by side with some of our members and oversee a number of our member’s work and sometimes are having to pitch in and do some of the work because of staffing issues, and yet the benefits of that don’t always pass over to them,” Moran said.

Moran said despite the October 1st effect date, his organization will begin the process of recruiting membership to have the union organization in place come that effective date.