Today's Supreme Court decision, the Janus ruling, impacts unions and union members across the country, but it means something unique to us in Wisconsin. We have endured attacks on our rights as working people over the last several years. Unfortunately, our union sisters and brothers across the country are now getting a taste of what we have faced. However, we have never stopped fighting for what our members and patients deserve--no matter what--and today will not weaken our resolve.

“This is a very bad ruling, but living in a state that for years has been attacking workers’ rights, we have learned that we can be a strong and effective union when we stick together and join with the community to stand up for working families. In spite of relentless attacks, nurses and healthcare workers in Wisconsin continue to join together in our union, because they know the future is better when workers have unions,” said WFNHP President, Candice Owley.

At the Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees annual member meeting, President John Ripley gave a broad overview of the state of the union. The union is rapidly growing and by July anticipates being at 800 members. Should that growth continue as expected, within three years BCFPE will be the second largest public employee union in Baltimore county.

Below are changes to the By-Laws of the NYSLC to bring them in line with election ballots.  A set of the current By-Laws can be found in the Key Documents section.

ARTICLE VI OFFICERS

1. Duties of the Second Vice President/Western Regional Officer: Add (Regions F,G,H,I)

a. Assist the President and first Vice President.

b. Serve as the alternate delegate to NYSUT, AFT, and other affiliate conventions

c. Oversee the publication of the NYSLC newsletter.

ARTICLE IX REGIONS AND CHAPTERS

Bargaining Update      

June 22, 2018

Dear Members:

Last week in the bargaining update we told you, “While we have not ‘rejected’ the district’s proposal, we are analyzing it and taking it under advisement to prepare a counter proposal.  The District has stated they would refuse to sign the proposal unless all elements of the package are agreed to in its entirety.”

AFT-Maryland Remains United and Committed to Organizing as Supreme Court Sides with Wealthy, Corporate Interests in Anti-Union Case

Decision Won’t Stop Union Growth as Workers Organize to Give Voice to Shared Values

Baltimore, MD—The Supreme Court’s decision, in the case Janus v. AFSCME invalidates state laws allowing labor unions to collect fees from everyone in a bargaining unit, including non-members, to pay the costs of bargaining and other representation the union is required to provide.

Marietta English, president of AFT-Maryland which represents over 20,000 public sector workers across the state of Maryland including teachers, nurses, correctional officers, 911 call operators, and other municipal and state professionals, predicted that the decision ultimately will lead to greater member engagement and activism.

READ 

Statement from City Union of Baltimore President Antoinette Ryan-Johnson on the SCOTUS Decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31

Today, judicial activists on the Supreme Court sided with corporate interest to weaken public sector unions by significantly reducing funding and creating incentives to erode Union membership with their ruling in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31. But, as always, we will stand firm against the headwinds of decades long, anti-union sentiment, because our members know: In unity there is strength.