Last week the nation celebrated public employees. Locally, AFT-Maryland is shining the spotlight on members just like yourself, that are making sacrifices to ensure everything from public health care, to education, to state services continue with some semblance of normalcy. Take a moment and learn about members from across the state federation.
Newark Teachers Union Local 481 and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive.
Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today!
Crystal Wright is a public health nurse with the Baltimore County Health Department. She has been with them for three years. She is also a member of the Baltimore County Federation of Public Health Nurses, Local 5102. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything about how she does her job. One way her job is affected that may not be obvious is the degree of care she can give patients. She reports that sometimes patients see her as a confidant with a shoulder they can cry on, and she has to remember that “today it’s my patient that’s positive for the virus, but tomorrow it could be me.” With each interaction, she and other nurses are at an increased risk. The nature of her work has changed because interactions have to be brief, but focused.
Deborah Hill is a dedicated state employee having worked at the Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia Campus for the past 29 years. She has worked in a number of varied positions during her time at the Howard County campus. Her work has placed her in the dormitory as a dorm counselor and a teacher aide where she served on the crisis intervention team. Her work in the campus community isn’t limited to just the dorm or the classroom as she also served as a union representative for four years. Currently, she is an elementary department secretary (clerical aide); she’s spent five years in this role.
Randi Weingarten president
Lorretta Johnson secretary-treasurer
Evelyn DeJesus
executive vice president
Don't Forfeit Our Future: Invest Now to Get America Safely Back to School and Back to Work
Until a vaccine is developed for COVID-19, each community is going to need support in charting a path to safely and responsibly reopen school buildings and other institutions crucial to the well-being and economic vitality of our communities.
The AFT’s detailed, science-based “Plan to Safely Reopen America’s Schools and Communities” features five core pillars based on the science as well as educator and healthcare expertise—not on politics or wishful thinking.
Maryland Park Rangers are on the frontline serving Marylanders during the COVID-19 pandemic in a unique way. Parks are a holistic approach to the mental and physical challenges we face. Since state parks are essential in contributing to the overall health and well-being of Maryland citizens, there is a substantial impact on Maryland Park Services (MPS). As attendance continues to skyrocket, budget cuts in the department have left them with less contractual help to deal with the crowds. This has led to increased park closures, greater vigilance to manage traffic control, and response to emergencies in the park. Of greater importance and concern is the increased exposure Rangers have to the thousands of daily visitors to state parks.
AFT-Maryland Statement on Gov. Hogan's Veto of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Legislation aka Kirwan & Revenue Generating Legislation
Baltimore, MD - AFT-Maryland is deeply disappointed in Governor Hogan's decision to ignore the bi-artisan enactment of the Kirwan Commission School reforms. With his veto of HB1300, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, Governor Hogan has unfortunately reverted to out-of-date and tired rhetoric that has proven to be ineffective at bringing positive change to public education. To do so in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that is exposing the resource gaps of so many Baltimore city students is disappointing.
The commission which worked for nearly four years to deliberate and put forth these recommendations not only had numerous
Mindy Lawson is a rehabilitation teacher at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center, the state’s forensic psychiatric hospital. While teachers in other facilities across the state telework, she continues to report to the hospital daily. Initially, her job was not deemed essential; however, during a state of emergency, management can make non-essential employees essential and alter their work duties, which changed her job status.
