The 2013 General Assembly Session was remarkable in many ways. Most long-term observers of Annapolis readily agree that this was perhaps the most productive Session in at least 30 years. Organized Labor was a major beneficiary of the legislation that passed, including both the Public School Employees Representation Fees bill and the Higher Education Fair Share Act. In addition, the employees of Howard County’s Library System will now have the opportunity to have representation and bargain collectively. The State Budget included the 2.5% increase we had been seeking for our Home Health Care Workers.
Here is a list of bills we supported in Annapolis this legislative session.

HB0895 – Education – Howard County Library System – Collective Bargaining Ho. Co. 3-13
Authorizing employees of the Howard County Library System to form, join, and participate in an employee organization and bargain collectively through a representative; requiring the library system and the certified exclusive representative to enter into a collective bargaining agreement that contains provisions regarding specified matters; requiring the library system to submit specified terms of the collective bargaining agreement to the Board of Library Trustees for Howard County for its acceptance or rejection; etc.

SB0422 – Public School Employees – Collective Bargaining – Representation Fees
Requiring public school employers in all jurisdictions of the State to negotiate with employee organizations designated as the exclusive representatives for the public school employees a requirement of a service or representation fee to be charged to nonmembers; providing a specified exception and requirement for specified non-certificated employees whose religious beliefs are opposed to joining or financially supporting a collective bargaining organization; etc.

HB0863 – Higher Education Fair Share Act
Altering the matters of negotiation that may be included in collective bargaining between an employee organization and specified system institutions, Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, or Baltimore City Community College; requiring employees of specified institutions of higher education to furnish written proof of specified payments to the President of the institution or the President’s designee; etc.

HB0667 – Collective Bargaining – State Labor Relations Board and State Higher Education Labor Relations Board – Enforcement Authority

HB0893 – State Personnel – Equality for Maryland Caregivers Act of 2013

SB0841 – Higher Education Fair Share Act