News

When the president of Colorado WINS learned that the president of the United States might be targeting Denver next in his anti-immigration campaign of terror, she knew how she’d begin to mobilize. One simple thing Diane Byrne does is deck out her activists in matching T-shirts. Wearing union colors promotes team spirit and builds confidence, she says. The AFT Public Employees program and policy council, meeting in New York City Feb. 5-6, abounded with tips to help locals mobilize. PPC chair Gary Feist, president of North Dakota Public Employees, recommended finding members who can tell a personal story to draw media attention. With more media on the issue, he said, legislators will become more motivated to fix the problem.

Attention Retirees! The 2026 Maryland Legislature has submitted the Retirees Prescription bill.

NOW IS THE TIME TO LET THEM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL SINCE THIS IS A MIDTERM ELECTIONS YEAR. THE BILL NUMBER IS HB 696

Click through for links to the Maryland legislature and a copy of the bill.

Federal immigration actions are rapidly expanding, with deadly consequences. The killings of poet Renee Nicole Good and nurse Alex Pretti by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis have brought intense focus on the use of excessive force. An AFT webinar, co-hosted by AFT President Randi Weingarten and AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang on Jan. 28, featured experts on immigration and the law. It highlighted AFT resources and showcased how our locals are showing up to minimize fear and trauma.

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.”

The latest newsletter is out! 

Check out The Buzz, MCEA's quarterly newsletter.

In this issue:

• A message from MCEA's president, Marilyn Miller
• Wicomico Public Libraries Employees Win Union with MCEA!
• A Grievance Win for District Court of Maryland employee, Lisa Bryant O'Day
• Rep Assembly Report
• Council Spotlight
• Upcoming Events
• and more...

Click through for more!

We are delighted to share that the employees of the Wicomico Public Libraries have won their fight for recognition with MCEA. WPL staff make up our newest Council, Council 3318 (the Dewey Decimal number for labor unions).

The work that library employees do every day in our library systems is absolutely essential to our communities here in Maryland. From providing necessary services, promoting literacy, and fostering safety and community, library staff are on the frontlines when it comes to ensuring that Maryland residents can grow and learn. We are proud to organize with Wicomico public library staff and move toward sorely needed improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Click through to read more!

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.

Read on for more...