MD Gov Supports Fair Share

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

The union movement in Maryland has gained renewed support as Gov. Martin O'Malley introduced the Fair Share Act into the state Senate on January 26. Long sought by the state's public employee unions, the measure would authorize them to negotiate and collect a "fair-share" fee from non-members who benefit from union representation, but who don't pay union dues. "When public employees have and exercise their choice to vote for Fair Share, they can be more effective advocates for quality state services. Because this creates a stronger union with stronger bargaining powers, Fair Share will help attract and retain high-quality workers, which means a safer, healthier and better Maryland," says Patrick Moran,  executive director, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees-Maryland. The bill (SB264) applies only to state collective bargaining, excluding what is covered by the higher education collective bargaining law. The bill affects nine bargaining units covering 33,000 workers represented by different union groups, including AFSCME-MD, American Federation of Teachers, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, State Law Enforcement Officers Alliance, and the International Association of Fire Fighters. Approximately a third of these workers pay dues to a certified collective bargaining representative, according to state payroll documents.
- by Craig Simpson; the original version of this story appeared on Maryland Commons.