Maryland Classified Employees Association Local 1935

A banner with the MCEA Seal, a half-moon shaped version of the Maryland flag. It reads "Join our Union!"

JOIN MCEA!

Click through to become a part of Maryland's oldest union for public workers. A workplace with respect, dignity, and just compensation is within reach!

Membership Drive!

Now through December 31: When you recruit a new member, you can receive a $20 gift per member referral, courtesy of our partners at RK Tongue Insurance.

Dear Members! MCEA is moving forward with confidence and poise! We are partnering with our longtime insurance provider, RK Tongue, to offer a $20 gift to all current members who recruit a new member to MCEA between August 1 and December 31, 2026.

If you and your colleage discuss MCEA membership and they join, please send your name, the name of the colleague you recruited, and the bargaining unit to which you belong to info@mcea.org. We will get back to you with next steps.

Retirees Prescription Plan Bill is Back

The prescription plan bill is back in the Maryland legislature this session, and state retirees deserve to be heard!

HB0696, the bull that would restore retiree benefits, is currently in the Appropriations Committee, and written testimony is due to the Legislature by 6pm on March 17th.

Need help submitting testimony? Email mmiller@mcea.org by Monday, March 16th.

Grievance Win!

On December 8, 2025, Lisa Bryant O'Day, an employee of the District Court of Maryland, was issued with a Three Day leave forfetiure/suspension for alledged failure to perform the essential functions of her position. She turned to her Union MCEA for assistance.

Read on for more!

Growing Our Union

In the new year, our elected Executive Board established our goals for the year as a union.

Over the past year, MCEA has grown to support new workers in the new professions, and we have welcomed two new councils to our ranks.

As a result, we are ready to grow in our power together. As individuals, there are real limits on what any one person can accomplish. However, as a union, we are all stronger together.

Our goal in 2026 is to grow our membership, and as a result, we will be launching several new programs to strengthen our union and speak out on the issues that matter to us.

Council Spotlight: UMCES

Congratulations to the staff of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), who ratified their most recent union Contract!

UMCES staff do the work on the ground to ensure that cutting-edge research on our environment can continue. JWorkers won faster annual leave accreal, increased on-call pay, an extra holiday, and much more. With the power of a union, you and your coworkers can make a real difference.

Remembering MCEA Member, Del. Larry Kump

This month, we remember longtime MCEA member, retired DPSCS correctional employee trainer, and former West Virginia member of the House of Delegates, Larry Kump, who passed away on March 1st, 2026. A loyal and active union member, we remember him for his service to the State of Maryland and to his union. We thank him for his advocacy to include behavioral and mental health professionals in the 20-year correctional officers retirement plan. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.