Time to Stand Together,

Stand in solidarity.
Sign the We Are One pledge.

These undoubtedly are challenging times. As teachers, faculty, school support staff, nurses, public employees, and members or allies of our union, the AFT, we are facing the perfect storm—a time of widespread stress, uncertainty, pressure and fear, where workers and their unions are being scapegoated and vilified for the continuing effects of a recession we did not cause.

Such unprecedented times require unprecedented action, including the first-ever e-mail from your national union president to the entire AFT membership.

In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker has just signed into law legislation stripping workers of their rights and crippling the unions that represent them. Walker and numerous other elected officials have claimed to need such legislation to address budget shortfalls, but these efforts have been unmasked as shrewd power grabs intended to eviscerate workers’ voice and other democratic rights.

As legislation depriving workers of fundamental rights advances in state after state, it is a blow for anyone who values democracy and fairness. But it is also a clarion call to defend these principles.

Join me and take the “We Are One” pledge to stand together.

As we have seen in Wisconsin, and also in Indiana and Ohio, tens of thousands of union members are standing up, standing tall and speaking out in solidarity against all these attacks on their rights and our values. Our allies include students, parents, farmers, firefighters, people of faith and people of good will, who have joined us—some in spirit, some in the halls of state capitols—day in and day out.

We can’t help but be inspired and motivated by this collective action.

Now our challenge is to take this moment and turn it into a movement. And the way to do this is by re-energizing America’s labor movement, which is the only institution fighting for working people at the ballot box and the bargaining table.

The AFT has joined with other labor unions and allies to stand together and participate in the “We Are One” Week of Action starting April 4.

Will you take the pledge to stand with us?

In just the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of traveling to dozens of states—from Wisconsin to Florida, New York to Texas, Ohio to New Mexico—to stand with AFT members and their allies. In every place, I have witnessed how you, as individuals, make a difference every day for the people you serve—children and adults alike. I’m in awe of your tireless dedication. But I have also seen that when we stand together in solidarity as one, we make a difference for everyone in our communities.

I hope you will take a minute to sign this pledge to make a difference together, and to participate in nationwide activities the week of April 4 in support of fairness, justice, democracy and workers’ voice.

I can’t thank you enough for your hard work and commitment. I know these times are difficult, and you can’t do it all and you can’t do it alone. But by standing together as one, we can do everything possible to protect the values that make our country great, including our voice in our own destiny.

Without a doubt, there will be setbacks and there will be victories. But as this past month has proven, every generation has to reaffirm and fight for its beliefs. This is our time to do so, whether we are Gen Yers, Gen Xers or baby boomers. Through our persistence and determination to never give up, we will forge a new path of opportunity for the next generation.

Thank you.

In solidarity,

Randi Weingarten
AFT President
www.twitter.com/rweingarten
www.facebook.com/AFTunion

These are without a doubt, some of the most exciting times in the history of MCEA. They are also, of course, among the most challenging of times. As a recent affiliate of AFT, we have acquired new and valuable benefits for our members and access to new opportunities for expanding our ability to advocate for public employees in Maryland. With all the intense activity going on at our Headquarters on Rutherford Road, and across the State, we have come up short in one vital area: communication. You, our members, can not know and be assured of the work we are doing on your behalf unless we tell you in a thorough and timely manner. So, that is one of our priorities for 2011, improving the quantity and quality of communication with you, the members of MCEA. Recently, there have been several developments that directly affect each and every one of us. On January 11, 2011, Steve Porter, Executive Director of AFT. advised MCEA that Units E and G have reached a collective bargaining agreement with the Governor. There were a lot of excellent points that would benefit the employees in those units. MCEA has more than 500 members who are employees in these units. While the new MOU’s do contain a provision that employees are to pay a service fee to AFT effective July 1, 2011, MCEA members who belong to MCEA as of the date of our affiliation with AFT will be exempt from service fees when they become effective. The gains for all employees in these units are many, and include a $750.00 bonus and 5 administrative days for fiscal year starting in July 20ll. In addition, in 2012 they are to receive a 2% raise. In 2013, they are to receive a raise of 3%. In 2014, our COLA’S are to be reinstated.

The other statewide collective bargaining units: A,B,C,D,F, and H, also reached similar agreements with the State, agreements that also will require employees to pay a service fee. These MOU’S were all ratified by an overwhelming majority of the employees voting. The results of that election tally that took place on January 31, 2011 are in. The MOU vote was 87 and 93% in favor. MCEA President Stephen Schaefer encouraged our members to vote in favor of these agreements, agreements that do, again, provide all of the benefits described above, and which also contain a provision for service fees which will go into effect on July 1, 2011. We continue to work, on behalf of our members, to reach agreements which will allow our members to continue to be able to freely choose representation by MCEA. It is the goal MCEA to continue to fulfill our obligation to our members by providing the best possible grievance appeal, and legal representation. We remain open and willing to talk with any of our members who have questions about their rights and options under these newly ratified MOU’s. For the last 16 months, we have faced severe challenges to this association from both within and outside. We are facing the attacks on our pensions and health care costs this year. The most glaring attack will be on the active members health care cost. Most of the bills introduced this year so far have been in the retirees pension cost. MCEA will keep a close eye on these problems and be in contact with our members to fight these increases. MCEA will need both active members and retirees in Annapolis to meet with their Senators and Delegates. We also will need you to testify. These are tough times. Do not let your future rest in the hands of someone else. Take action and fight. These will not be temporary measures. They will be permanent.

MCEA's 2010 Convention Results

MCEA held its 2010 Annual Convention in Ocean City, MD on October 11-13 at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.

It was a great success. More than 200 members, delegates, special guest speakers and officials attended to voice their opinions and vote on making new improvements for all Maryland state and county employees for the new 2011 year.

Many legislative leaders and officials were in attendance, including Ocean City Mayor Richard W. Meehan, Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley, Maryland State Senate Eastern Shore Candidates Jim Mathias and Michael James, and Robert Ehrlich’s Candidate for Lieutenant Governor Mary Kane, along with MCEA officers, board of directors, area governors, chapter presidents and staff.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT/AFT-MD) participated in the Convention through presentations regarding pension issues and workplace safety given by John Abraham and Jennifer Porcari. In addition, Steve Porter, AFT’s Executive Director of its Public Employees Division attended to welcome MCEA to the AFT as a chartered local, specifically Local 1935. He signed the Affiliation Agreement along with MCEA President Stephen Schaefer and fellow officers.

MCEA delegates elected four new at-large members of the Board of Directors. They are Angela Jacks, Jerri Spry, Barbara Thompson and Debra Truitt. Their terms will expire in 2012. Congratulations to the new leadership of MCEA.

MCEA delegation and staff mingled during the evening by participating in social events, including MCEA’s presidential reception and buffet dinner and dance. Special thanks to all our guest speakers, delegates, members, convention committee and staff for attending this year’s Convention and in making your voice count.

July 24, 2010 - Delegates Vote to Strengthen MCEA through AFT Affiliation

By an overwhelming margin of 374 to 12, delegates attending the July 24, 2010 MCEA
special convention voted to confirm the MCEA Board of Directors'
recommendation to affiliate with the American Federation of Teachers. AFT
is a nationwide union representing more than 1.5 million public employee
members. Convening at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum, Maryland, MCEA
delegates from across the state heard detailed presentations on all aspects
of the proposed affiliation. Questions, comments and debate centered on the
future of MCEA and its diverse statewide membership. The special
convention on affiliation took place after more than a year of research on
potential affiliation partners that included consideration of a wide array
of national unions.

MCEA Executive Director, David Boschert, spoke out at the meeting explaining,
"We have to move forward in the coming years with programs for
organizing, growth and communications that improve our representation of
Maryland's public employees. Our partnership with the AFT can help us to
achieve these goals. This is an affiliation that makes sense for both the
MCEA and the AFT."

MCEA Board Member and Area Governor, Tamara Byrd, pointed out to the
convention delegates that, "We looked carefully at the programs and services
available from many different unions and were most impressed with what we
saw at the AFT. This is clearly the best fit for us. I'm excited and
thrilled about this affiliation, and I know it can help activate and energize
our activists across the state. We also need to be involved in the
challenges that face public employees across the country. We need to be
part of a national union."

AFT's Director for Public Employees, Steve Porter, who attended the
convention and spoke to the convention delegates, hailed the vote as a
"Great opportunity for MCEA, for the AFT, and for public employees
throughout Maryland. Together, we can bring more effective representation
to state employees, higher education employees, and to county and municipal
employees. We look forward to working with the MCEA leadership and staff to
build programs that involve members in the growth and development of their
union. Our partnership can add value and resources to help make this
happen."

Dr. Lorretta Johnson, Executive Vice President of the AFT and Former
President of AFT Maryland, was excited by the news of the affiliation vote.
"This is an historic vote. It will open doors for cooperation and growth
that I always knew were possible. We intend to take full advantage of the
opportunity. MCEA leaders and convention delegates will look back with
pride on the decision they have made to affiliate with the AFT. This is a
great day," she exclaimed.

MCEA President, Steve Schaefer, reflected on the eventful day that also
included the birth of his new grandson at 12:37 a.m. that morning. "I am
exhausted and tired, but I couldn't be more pleased. This is a wonderful
day for my family at home and for my MCEA family. I watched the birth of my
new grandson and the birth of a great new partnership. Both have a
brilliant future ahead."