Unions
Here's a look at documents from unions
Featured Stories
National Nurses United RNs will rally Monday, April 13 in Washington, D.C. to demand that Congress abolish ICE
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, April 10 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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National Nurses United RNs will rally Monday, April 13 in Washington, D.C. to demand that Congress abolish ICE
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Rally part of lobby event pushing lawmakers to fund care, not war abroad or at home
National Nurses United (NNU) nurses will rally in Washington, D.C. on Monday, April 13 to demand that Congress abolish ICE by immediately voting to cut off funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to rescind the hundreds of billions in funding it received through
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SILVER SPRING, Maryland, April 10 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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National Nurses United RNs will rally Monday, April 13 in Washington, D.C. to demand that Congress abolish ICE
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Rally part of lobby event pushing lawmakers to fund care, not war abroad or at home
National Nurses United (NNU) nurses will rally in Washington, D.C. on Monday, April 13 to demand that Congress abolish ICE by immediately voting to cut off funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to rescind the hundreds of billions in funding it received throughthe Republican budget bill H.R. 1 last year.
ICE has only existed for a couple of decades and now serves as a lawless paramilitary force that Trump uses to terrorize citizens and non-citizens alike, and to brutalize opponents of his authoritarian government. Allied unions and groups, as well as members of Congress, such as Senator Ed Markey and former Representative Cori Bush, are also expected to speak.
"Nurses believe everybody has the freedom to move and the freedom to stay in search of a better life," said Jamie Brown, RN and president of NNU. "We demand that this war against immigrant communities ends now. Nurses don't believe any human is illegal; we care for everyone."
Who: Union nurses, Senator Ed Markey, former Representative Cori Bush, and others
What: Rally to abolish ICE
When: Monday, April 13, 2026 2-3 p.m.
Where: Upper Senate Park, 200 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Nurses will be available at the rally for interviews. If you would like photos or b-roll of the event, please contact press@nationalnursesunited.org. Nurses from across the country will attend, including NNU affiliates New York State Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, District of Columbia Nurses Association, California Nurses Association, and National Nurses Organizing Committee, as well as the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) and Massachusetts Nurses Association.
The rally is part of NNU's Nurses for Democracy 2026 Federal Lobby Day, a chance for union nurses to speak truth to Congress on behalf of their patients and communities about the dire social conditions working-class people in the country are facing under an authoritarian government. While President Trump continues to waste tens of billions of our taxpayer dollars to wage illegal wars around the globe that only further enrich himself and his family, his billionaire tech and Wall Street cronies, and corporations that profit off killing and destruction, hundreds of millions of people in the United States are suffering and dying without health care, food, decent housing, education, and other basic necessities.
Nurses will be asking both representatives and senators to support legislation to stop the multiple illegal wars Trump has started, to block weapons to Israel, to abolish ICE by yanking its funding, to tax billionaires, to end the U.S. blockade on Cuba, and more. Conversely, they will ask officials to oppose legislation that strips millions of citizens, particularly women and lower-income people, of their right to vote and to oppose any funding of ICE.
As members of the most trusted profession in the United States as well as the largest union and professional association of registered nurses, NNU nurses will be advocating for their vision of a healthy society where caring and compassion for the needs of working people drive our federal spending and policies, not cruelty and profits for the ultra-rich and corporations. To win programs such as Medicare for All and safe staffing standards in hospitals for patients, nurses know they must first defeat Trump's fascist takeover of our democratic government and institutions.
"Nurses stand against everything this administration is doing," said Brown. "Our whole mission is to heal patients and win the social conditions that help people live healthy lives. We are beyond angry that Trump is spending our taxpayer dollars to illegally bomb countries like Iran and Lebanon into obliteration while we are completely abandoning our own people. We could be using that money to fund health care for all, to feed people, to provide housing, and more. We will be in D.C. to demand that our legislators grow a spine."
National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/national-nurses-united-rns-will-rally-monday-april-13-in-washington-dc-to-abolish-ice
NEA: Education Department Rollback Undermines Title IX Protections
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- The National Education Association issued the following news release on April 8, 2026:
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Education Department rollback undermines Title IX protections
This week, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which already has abandoned any efforts to enforce Title IX's protections against sexual harassment and discrimination, took the additional step of affirmatively rescinding provisions of previously negotiated resolution agreements, reversing commitments made with schools to address findings of gender discrimination under Title IX of the Education
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WASHINGTON, April 10 -- The National Education Association issued the following news release on April 8, 2026:
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Education Department rollback undermines Title IX protections
This week, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which already has abandoned any efforts to enforce Title IX's protections against sexual harassment and discrimination, took the additional step of affirmatively rescinding provisions of previously negotiated resolution agreements, reversing commitments made with schools to address findings of gender discrimination under Title IX of the EducationAmendments of 1972.
Title IX was not handed down quietly--it was the result of years of organizing, advocacy, and persistence by women, students, and civil rights leaders who challenged entrenched discrimination in education. The law was created to ensure that no student would be denied participation in, excluded from, or subjected to discrimination in federally funded education programs on the basis of sex--covering everything from athletics to admissions to protection from harassment and violence.
Such reversals of closed Title IX matters are highly unusual and represent a significant departure from longstanding enforcement practices, going beyond prior efforts to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle:
"This decision guts long-standing Title IX agreements and strikes at the heart of a 50-year-old civil rights law: sex discrimination has no place in our schools, and every student deserves the chance to succeed and grow without fear of bias or harassment. Last year, OCR did not resolve a single case of sexual harassment or assault in K-12 schools, and with this step, the Administration is now undoing agreements already in place.
"Title IX guarantees that all students, regardless of sex--including their gender identity or sexual orientation--can learn in safe, welcoming environments. Rolling back agreements designed to address discrimination puts those protections at risk and raises serious concerns about student safety and equity.
"At a time when we should be strengthening protections for our most vulnerable students, including our trans students, some politicians are choosing to divide communities and make schools less safe by singling out certain students for who they are. We owe it to every student to ensure schools are safe, inclusive places where they can learn and thrive--no exceptions. We will not stand by while the rights generations fought to secure are stripped away from the students who depend on them today."
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Original text here: https://www.nea.org/about-nea/media-center/press-releases/education-department-rollback-undermines-title-ix-protections
[Category: Union]
AFGE Sounds the Alarm on OPM's Plan to Collect Personal Identifiable Health Records of More Than 8 Million Federal Employees and Their Families
WASHINGTON, April 10 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE Sounds the Alarm on OPM's Plan to Collect Personal Identifiable Health Records of More Than 8 Million Federal Employees and Their Families
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Collecting personal identifiable health records violates the privacy of workers and their families.
WASHINGTON - The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union representing federal employees, is deeply alarmed by the Office of Personnel Management's proposal to collect personally identifiable
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WASHINGTON, April 10 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE Sounds the Alarm on OPM's Plan to Collect Personal Identifiable Health Records of More Than 8 Million Federal Employees and Their Families
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Collecting personal identifiable health records violates the privacy of workers and their families.
WASHINGTON - The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union representing federal employees, is deeply alarmed by the Office of Personnel Management's proposal to collect personally identifiablemedical records from the insurance companies that cover more than eight million federal workers, retirees, members of Congress, postal employees, and their families.
AFGE National President Everett Kelley issued the following statement:
"This proposal, published without fanfare in December, would require 65 insurers to submit monthly reports to OPM containing individual health data, including prescription records, diagnoses, treatment histories, and provider information, with no requirement that identifying information be removed. Health law experts, former OPM officials, and major insurance carriers have raised serious legal concerns about whether this proposal complies with HIPAA. CVS Health has stated plainly that complying with OPM's request would require insurers to break the law.
"AFGE shares those concerns, and we go further. This proposal does not exist in isolation. It comes in the context of coordinated attacks on federal employees and repeated stretching of the legal boundaries for sharing sensitive personal data across government agencies. The question of what this administration intends to do with eight million Americans' most private health information is not academic. It is urgent.
"Legal experts have already noted that this data could be used to discipline or target workers who are not complying with the administration's political directives. It could be used to identify employees who have sought care that this administration has made a specific target of its policy agenda, including reproductive health care and gender-affirming treatment. And it would be held by an agency that, in 2015, suffered one of the largest federal data breaches in American history, compromising the personal records of roughly 22 million people.
"OPM has provided no meaningful explanation for why it needs identifiable data rather than the de-identified claims data that would serve any legitimate cost-management purpose. It has offered no information about how the data would be protected or how it would be used. That silence is not reassuring.
"We expect that the Office of Management and Budget will publish a corresponding notice in the coming weeks, opening an additional public comment period. AFGE will submit formal comments opposing this proposal and urging its withdrawal.
"We also call on Congress to demand answers from OPM about the legal basis, the intended use, and the safeguards for this data before any final rule is issued.
"Federal workers are public servants. They deserve a government that treats their medical privacy with the same dignity and care they bring to serving the American people every day. This proposal does neither."
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/3c00d86cee6e4bd59e24869a07664d41.aspx
Sheryl Lee Ralph to Receive 2026 Paul Robeson Award
NEW YORK, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Actors Equity Association issued the following news release:
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Sheryl Lee Ralph to Receive 2026 Paul Robeson Award
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New York - Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, and the Actors' Equity Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization supporting the professional theatre community, announced jointly that they will bestow the Paul Robeson Award for 2026 on Sheryl Lee Ralph.
The Paul Robeson Award recognizes the ongoing work in our communities
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Actors Equity Association issued the following news release:
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Sheryl Lee Ralph to Receive 2026 Paul Robeson Award
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New York - Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, and the Actors' Equity Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization supporting the professional theatre community, announced jointly that they will bestow the Paul Robeson Award for 2026 on Sheryl Lee Ralph.
The Paul Robeson Award recognizes the ongoing work in our communitiesto leverage theatre beyond the stage and enact a commitment to the freedom of expression and conscience for all. The award upholds Paul Robeson's belief in the artist's responsibility to society and dedication to the betterment of humankind that he embodied in his life and work. It is the only award jointly administered by the union and the foundation, given annually since Robeson himself received the first citation in 1974.
Sheryl Lee Ralph is an acclaimed actor and activist whose accolades include an Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award. Her advocacy work includes founding The D.I.V.A. Foundation, which began with an HIV/AIDS focus and more recently expanded to include gender and race equality, public health, LGBTQ+ issues and food and housing insecurity. As a producer, she has created socially conscious theatre works such as Broadway productions of Thoughts of a Colored Man and Ohio State Murders.
In response to receiving this award, Ralph said, "To be honored by Actors' Equity Association with an award bearing Mr. Paul Robeson's name is truly both an honor and a blessing. Mr. Robeson stood in purpose, truth, and dignity. I stand in that same lineage through my work, my voice, my art, and activism."
"Sheryl Lee Ralph exemplifies Paul Robeson's mission by leveraging theatre as a vehicle for moral agency and cultural truth, extending its impact far beyond performance," said Equity actor R ichard E. Waits, who nominated Ralph for this award. "She has consistently used her platform to advance equity, health awareness and social justice through the founding of The D.I.V.A. Foundation and its ongoing work addressing HIV/AIDS, racial equity, women and girls and LGBTQ+ communities.
"Beyond her public advocacy, Ms. Ralph has mentored generations of artists - particularly women and artists of color - offering guidance, access and sustained support that often goes unrecognized."
Ralph will receive this award at a ceremony later this year.
SHERYL LEE RALPH is an Emmy Award-winning actress, producer, author, and activist whose career spans nearly five decades across stage, television, and film. She currently stars as Barbara Howard on ABC's acclaimed comedy Abbott Elementary, a role that earned her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. With this historic win, Ralph became only the second Black woman to receive the honor, and the first in more than 35 years.
Ralph first rose to prominence originating the role of Deena Jones in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, earning a Tony Award nomination and establishing herself as a defining voice in American theater. Her Broadway credits also include Thoroughly Modern Millie and Wicked, and she has continued to champion new work as a producer on Thoughts of a Colored Man and Ohio State Murders.
Her extensive television career includes standout roles in Abbott Elementary, Moesha, Instant Mom, and Ray Donovan, along with appearances on iconic series such as The Jeffersons, Good Times, and Wonder Woman. In film, she won the Independent Spirit Award for To Sleep with Anger, and has appeared in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit and The Distinguished Gentleman. She can also be seen in the 2025 drama Ricky, a powerful story exploring life after incarceration and the pursuit of independence, reflecting her continued commitment to meaningful, socially resonant storytelling.
A globally recognized cultural figure, Ralph moved audiences nationwide with her stirring performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the Super Bowl. Her voice - both on and off stage - has become a source of inspiration, with her messages of self-worth, resilience, and perseverance resonating across generations.
Beyond her work on stage and screen, Ralph is a passionate humanitarian and the founding director of the DIVA Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to HIV/AIDS awareness, education, and compassionate care. Through her deeply personal solo work, Sometimes I Cry, she has brought storytelling directly into communities, including churches and underserved spaces, using art as a vehicle for healing, awareness, and connection. Her memoir, Redefining Diva: Life Lessons from the Original Dreamgirl, became a national bestseller and reflects her journey of resilience, purpose, and self-definition. Her work reflects a longstanding commitment to service, mentorship, and uplifting others - often beyond the spotlight.
Born in the United States and raised between America and Jamaica, Ralph proudly embraces her Jamaican heritage. She is a recipient of the Order of Jamaica and holds the title of "The Honorable," recognizing her global impact and service.
At the heart of her life and work is family. She is married to Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes and is a devoted mother, grounding her extraordinary career in a deep commitment to love, service, and legacy.
In recognition of her enduring contributions to the arts and her unwavering dedication to uplifting others, The Honorable Sheryl Lee Ralph continues to lead with purpose, grace, and authenticity.
PAUL ROBESON (1898-1976) was one of the most significant figures of the twentieth century at the intersection of performance and politics. His most famous roles included Joe on stage and screen for Show Boat and being one of the first Black performers to play Othello. As an activist, he protested injustice in the United States and abroad, including fighting segregation, apartheid and fascism. Paul Robeson was a trailblazing artist and activist who believed in the power of using his platform and fame to fight for justice, racial equality and peace. He received many accolades and was honored as the first recipient of the original Robeson Citation awarded in 1974.
ABOUT THE PAUL ROBESON AWARD On June 1, 1971, the Council of Actors' Equity Association established what is now known as the Paul Robeson Award Committee with Frederick O'Neal, the first African American president of Actors' Equity Association, as chair. The committee resolved to present an award to an individual, group or organization that best reflects the spirit of Paul Robeson and his legacy.
The Paul Robeson Award recognizes the ongoing work in our communities to leverage theatre beyond the stage and enact a commitment to the freedom of expression and conscience for all. The award upholds Paul Robeson's belief in the artist's responsibility to society and dedication to the betterment of humankind that he embodied in his life and work. The award is granted yearly to an individual, group or organization that exemplifies these values. It is the only award jointly administered by Actors' Equity Association and Actors' Equity Foundation.
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. www.actorsequity.org #EquityWorks
THE ACTORS' EQUITY FOUNDATION was created in 1962 to aid and assist the members of the acting profession and to promote the theatre arts. It is separate from Actors' Equity Association and is funded by estate bequests and individual donations.
April 9, 2026
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Original text here: https://www.actorsequity.org/news/PR/2026/04/09/sheryl-lee-ralph-to-receive-2026-paul-robeson-award
NALC statement on USPS's temporary suspension of FERS contributions
WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO National Association of Letter Carriers issued the following news:
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NALC statement on USPS's temporary suspension of FERS contributions
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NALC President Brian L. Renfroe released the following statement:
Today, the Postal Service announced it will temporarily pause employer contributions to the defined benefit portion of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) account through the end of the fiscal year. This pause has no immediate impact on any current or future retired letter carriers.
This move is necessitated by the Postal
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO National Association of Letter Carriers issued the following news:
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NALC statement on USPS's temporary suspension of FERS contributions
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NALC President Brian L. Renfroe released the following statement:
Today, the Postal Service announced it will temporarily pause employer contributions to the defined benefit portion of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) account through the end of the fiscal year. This pause has no immediate impact on any current or future retired letter carriers.
This move is necessitated by the PostalService's current financial situation and is a direct result of continued inaction by Congress to fix the legislative constraints that inhibit the Postal Service's ability to invest in its infrastructure and modernize to meet the needs of its employees and the American people.
If Congress were to allow for a new investment strategy for USPS retiree health and pension funds, a fair recalculation of the agency's Civil Service Retirement System pension obligations, and an increase in the agency's borrowing authority, this pause in FERS contributions would not be necessary.
It is time for Congress to act on these commonsense policy changes to protect our jobs, retirements, and the essential and reliable service we provide to every American.
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Original text here: https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-statement-on-uspss-temporary-suspension-of-fers-contributions
Amazon Teamsters Urge Passage of Delivery Protection Act in NYC Council Hearing
WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
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Amazon Teamsters Urge Passage of Delivery Protection Act in NYC Council Hearing
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Press Contact: Matt McQuaid Phone: (771) 241-0015 Email: mmcquaid@teamster.org
(NEW YORK) - Amazon Teamsters and their allies rallied at city hall today in support of the Delivery Protection Act, later testifying in favor of the bill before the New York City Council Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection. The landmark legislation, introduced by Councilmember Tiffany Caban, would outlaw
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WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
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Amazon Teamsters Urge Passage of Delivery Protection Act in NYC Council Hearing
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Press Contact: Matt McQuaid Phone: (771) 241-0015 Email: mmcquaid@teamster.org
(NEW YORK) - Amazon Teamsters and their allies rallied at city hall today in support of the Delivery Protection Act, later testifying in favor of the bill before the New York City Council Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection. The landmark legislation, introduced by Councilmember Tiffany Caban, would outlawAmazon's controversial Delivery Service Partner (DSP) model across the five boroughs.
"For too long, Amazon has posed an existential threat to the safety of its workers and our neighborhoods," said Thomas Gesualdi, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16. "This company is using every trick in the book to try to kill the Delivery Protection Act, but there is nothing they can do to stop the Teamsters."
Amazon uses a network of third-party contractors known as DSPs to control workers and avoid legal responsibility for last-mile operations. This model creates dangerous conditions for DSP workers and communities alike. Last year, the New York City Comptroller's office found that injury rates at last-mile delivery facilities in the city are more than triple the national average for private employers, a staggering figure driven in large part by Amazon's operations.
"Amazon Teamsters generate billions for this company in New York City alone, yet they face the most dangerous working conditions in the industry," said Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division. "Amazon has proven it does not care about the safety of its workers or the communities they deliver to or taking accountability and responsibility for the Amazon Drivers that wear their brand. The Delivery Protection Act is the only way to hold Amazon accountable in New York City."
The Delivery Protection Act was reintroduced earlier this year and quickly secured majority support in the city council after an intense lobbying campaign led by rank-and-file Amazon Teamsters and their allies.
"This bill is supported by a diverse and massive coalition of DSP drivers just like me. And it's opposed by a trillion-dollar behemoth and its proxies," said Matt Multari, an Amazon driver at the DBK1 facility in Queens. "For the safety of our communities and Amazon workers, the City Council needs to pass the Delivery Protection Act."
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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Original text here: https://teamster.org/2026/04/amazon-teamsters-urge-passage-of-delivery-protection-act-in-nyc-council-hearing/
AFT Maryland Celebrates Historic Expansion of Collective Bargaining Rights to Thousands of Four-Year Public University Faculty
WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
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AFT Maryland Celebrates Historic Expansion of Collective Bargaining Rights to Thousands of Four-Year Public University Faculty
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ANNAPOLIS, MD - In a historic win for Maryland higher education workers, the Maryland General Assembly has passed legislation, which now heads to the Governor's desk, extending collective bargaining rights to the vast majority of non-tenure track faculty - including full-time, part-time/adjunct faculty - at Maryland's four-year public universities.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
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AFT Maryland Celebrates Historic Expansion of Collective Bargaining Rights to Thousands of Four-Year Public University Faculty
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ANNAPOLIS, MD - In a historic win for Maryland higher education workers, the Maryland General Assembly has passed legislation, which now heads to the Governor's desk, extending collective bargaining rights to the vast majority of non-tenure track faculty - including full-time, part-time/adjunct faculty - at Maryland's four-year public universities.
"Collective bargaining creates equity across the board and allows underpaid faculty to have a living wage and access to benefits; what should be a human right," said Robert Bennett, Part-Time Professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Chair of the Adjunct Faculty Advisory Committee. "For too long, a broken system has left many faculty exploited by their institutions. With today's victory expanding collective bargaining rights to non-tenure track faculty, Maryland is giving a meaningful voice to faculty who dedicate their lives to our public universities and students."
This victory is the result of years of organizing and advocacy on campuses, in communities, and in Annapolis by AFT Maryland. In 2021, the Maryland State Legislature expanded collective bargaining rights to community college faculty. Since then, AFT Maryland - which represents over 18,000 workers across sectors, including K-12 educators, higher education faculty and staff, state employees, nurses, and healthcare professionals - has worked tirelessly with faculty throughout Maryland to extend the same rights to faculty at Maryland's four-year public universities.
"This victory marks a turning point for Maryland public higher education faculty," said Dr. Tina Kelleher, a Teaching Professor at Towson University and President of the TU AAUP chapter. "Non-tenure track faculty lack financial stability and job security. Collective bargaining creates options to be heard meaningfully, so that we can prioritize our students' learning needs and so that our institutions can rise to meet the challenges ahead."
The critical legislation was championed by AFT Maryland, and throughout this legislative session, faculty across the state made clear to lawmakers the challenges of working without collective bargaining protections, sharing personal stories of financial instability after decades of work and the lack of voice in decisions that affect their students and their work.
"For years, I have heard from faculty who have been showing up for their students while barely keeping their heads above water and without a seat at the table," said AFT Maryland President Kenya Campbell. "We have seen the transformative impact of collective bargaining for community college faculty who have won historic union contracts, and we know we will see that same transformation for these thousands of university faculty in the state. Today, we celebrate, and tomorrow we keep fighting - fighting to organize our non-tenure track faculty so they have a voice and fighting to extend collective bargaining rights to all faculty."
While certain groups of non-tenure track faculty are omitted, thousands of faculty will now have the right to collectively bargain over wages, benefits, and working conditions, and have a seat at the table on decisions that shape the working conditions and educational mission of universities across Maryland. The passage of this legislation ensures that non-tenure track public university faculty in Maryland have the same rights enjoyed by faculty at four-year institutions in 25 other states across the country.
"When workers have a voice at work everyone wins: the students we teach and the communities we serve. And, at a time when faculty are facing daily attacks on their freedom to think and to teach, the right to negotiate with their employers for better wages and conditions is more important than ever," said AFT President Randi Weingarten. "This legislation represents a historic step forward for Maryland and brings us closer to ensuring all higher education workers can bargain for a better life-for themselves, their colleagues and their students."
This victory is proof of what organizing can achieve, and it would not have been possible without the legislative champions for our public faculty, bill sponsors Senator Ben Kramer and Delegate Linda Foley. AFT Maryland will not stop fighting until all four-year faculty have the same collective bargaining rights guaranteed to nearly all other Maryland public employees.
AFT Maryland represents over 18,000 educators, paraprofessionals, university faculty and staff, state and local government employees, and healthcare professionals. AFT Maryland remains a leading advocate in Annapolis for the rights and protections of all Maryland workers.
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Original text here: https://www.aft.org/press-release/aft-maryland-celebrates-historic-expansion-collective-bargaining-rights-thousands
