MCEA Chapter 610 leaders - President Jake Sagner, Secretary Joy Clark, and Treasurer Stan Divelbliss - with assistance from MCEA Labor Relations Specialist Mike Keeney sat down with Harford County government management to negotiate next year's Memorandum of Understanding.

Thanks to the membership's support and their leaders' perserverance, Chapter 610 walked away with some important victories:

• 10% wage increase, including a 7% COLA and 3% merit increase
• A new paid holiday (Juneteenth)
• Maintain current health care percentage contributions
• On-call schedules will be in writing and posted in an area

Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, MCEA was able to successfully hold its 2020 convention. With the help of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), we held our convention remotely, digitally, and safely. After all, the work of protecting the rights of our membership is too important to let fall by the wayside.

Some of the important achievements of this convention include:

• the passage of updated bylaws;
• the passage of a budget that continues through 2021;
• the passage of a dues increase of $.50, making our monthly dues $22.75; and
• the unopposed nomination of President Linda