Summer is here, bringing intense heat and humidity with it. This means dangerous working conditions for many on the job. AFT Maryland and the City Union of Baltimore (CUB), along with a coalition of labor unions, recently scored a victory for worker safety during the hot days of summer. Together, we worked for new regulations to protect workers from the increasing risk of heat-related illnesses on the job.

The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) division of the state’s Department of Labor (DLLR), finalized the new heat illness prevention rules with implementation to begin ahead of the 2025 summer season. 

Under the new rules, employers must take specific actions when the heat index hits 80°F or higher. 
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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.

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Our union, Maryland School for the Deaf Faculty and Staff Association, Local 4828, AFT, AFL-CIO, was invited to the Back to School event at the White House on September 21, 2024, where First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary of Education Manuel Cardona would be speaking. About 20 members from our union attended. Most of us wore blue to represent AFT with buttons rooting for Harris/Walz by our union. The day was very warm and bright and it was held on the White House lawn so we all dressed our best but with the weather in mind as well! AFT National provided two vans to take us to the event, which we appreciated, as it allowed all of us to socialize while traveling to the White House from the Columbia campus. 

Click through to read more about our trip to the White House!

Memorandum of Understanding 
between the 
State of Maryland
and the 
Maryland School for the Deaf Faculty & Staff Association

Click to view more.

The MSD Union bargaining team has completed its work in negotiating a tentative agreement with the administration that will govern the terms and conditions of our employment for the next three years. Now it is time for the employees to vote on whether or not to accept the agreement.

The union will host brief 1-hour information sessions on the highlights of the new contract, as well as field any questions from members about its implementation. Click through for times, locations, and to RSVP!

We have a new, tentative, contract!

Thanks to the tireless work of our union leadership, our collective bargaining team, our bargaining committee, and support from AFT-Maryland, we have reached a Tentative Agreement with management. The contract is attached below for members to review. Highlights are listed below.

The next steps will include informational meetings where members can ask questions about the contract, and then we will enter the ratification process to vote on the contract. STAY TUNED for more information!

Click through for more information and to see the tentative agreement.