AFSCME MARYLAND Local 44 (Baltimore Municipal Employees) will protest at City Hall, today, June 1, 2009, to object to the City Council voting on the 3rd Reader to pass 1+1 trash pickup program. The 1+1 Sanitation program will reduce trash pick up from twice a week to one day trash pickup, one day recycle. According to Glen Middleton Executive Director of AFSCME Maryland Council 67 “They have put the cart before the horse. The City has eliminated one vital part of the voting process and that is negotiation of their contract. The City has failed to consider the Hours of Work and Work Schedule as implemented in their contract in order to allow the committee to discuss the proposed plan.”

As the exclusive Collective Bargaining Unit representative, the City is required to negotiate changes in work hours and work days, and address issues associated with working conditions, and job security for all Solid Waste employees.

The City of Baltimore has not issued proper notification to the citizens of Baltimore. Scarce meetings have taken place throughout the City to discuss the program. The 1+1 trash pickup program poses a risk factor for the health and safety of our communities by exposing them to more rodent control.
Nonetheless, over 200 Solid Waste employees have already been affected by the City’s budget cuts, the Sanitation program would eliminate additional jobs. AFSCME’s primary goal is to SAVE SOLID WASTE JOBS! Solid Waste employees work and live in the City of Baltimore therefore they have a vested interest in the implementation of this program.