One union calls the proposed bargaining fee “payback” for backing the new governor, the other union calls it “fair share” for representing state employees, and Gov. Martin O?Malley?s supporters call it “good policy.”
Maryland Classified Employees Association and the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees are duking it out over the simple deletion of the word “not” in a state law that bans negotiation to collect a service fee from employees who are not members of the union.
MCEA has about 6,500 dues-paying members, AFSCME has about 9,100 members, while the larger union is exclusive bargaining agent for state agencies and universities, representing some 35,000 employees.
The “agency fee” is designed to compensate a union for the costs of collective bargaining. Typically the fee is 40 percent to 80 percent of the union dues, and AFSCME would negotiate with the state on what it could charge its nonmembers.
“It takes away the choice opportunity for employees as to who will best represent them,” said Robert Stephens, MCEA?s executive director. “The major concern is that it will impact only the lowest paid wage earner,” since supervisors won?t pay any fee.
AFSCME supported O?Malley in the election. Stephens said, “This is payback.”
“It?s a mistake to confuse politics with good policy,” said Sean Malone, O?Malley?s deputy legislative officer.
“This gives the right to underwrite the process,” said Sally Davies, president of the AFSCME council at the University of Maryland University Council.
“We fought hard for collective bargaining” 10 years ago, said Sheila Hill, an AFSCME correctional officer at the Patuxent Institution in Jessup. “Now were here to protect what we have.”
Michele Handy, an MCEA representative, said, “They?re just trying to hijack employees and their paychecks.”
