"Fair Share" Law to Boost AFSCME MD Resources

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)The free ride ended for thousands of state employees on July 1 when AFSCME Maryland’s historic “fair share” agreement with the state went into effect. The new law allows AFSCME to collect fees from nonmembers -- who the union has long been legally required to represent -- and is expected to net the union millions more annually.  “Having more resources available at our disposal means stronger protection of our current benefits, protection from future attacks, and it means we will have the power to negotiate better wages, benefits and better conditions of employment,” said AFSCME Maryland Director Patrick Moran in a letter inviting the nonmembers to join the union and “enjoy all the benefits of membership.”  Moran noted that “the jobs, benefits, and professional reputation of state employees have come under attack in recent months.  These attacks are taking place not only here in Maryland, but in many states across the country,” and Moran urged the state workers “to participate in the defense of state employees’ benefits and professional reputation. “