BCFPE President Ripley and Executive Board’s Decisive Action Dodges Layoffs, Furloughs, and Pay Cuts

The BCFPE membership voted to approve the FY2021 contract by a 94.1% vote, guaranteeing no layoffs, no furloughs, and guaranteed funding of steps and longevity. These guarantees are not promised to our State Union brothers and sisters who potentially face:

• Permanent elimination of PINs (jobs)
• 5% Loss in Wages and Benefits
• Elimination of previously negotiated salary increases and cost-of-living adjustments
• Greater employee contribution to their health insurance plans (which translates to a cut in take home pay)
• Adjusting rules to limit when workers qualify for overtime pay

Source: Unions: Hogan admin seeking layoffs, pay cuts for state workers economic impact COVID-19, Baltimore Sun. 

Even the Maryland State Police are feeling the effects of this economic crisis. “Officers at state law enforcement agencies, such as the Maryland State Police, would not receive a 5% raise for which they previously negotiated.”

Source: Maryland Gov. Hogan proposes cutting state spending by $1.45B, cites economic downturn from coronavirus pandemic, Baltimore Sun. 

“The BCFPE Executive Board and I took quick and decisive action to guarantee that our members are protected during this unprecedented time,” said BCPFE President Ripley. “It is always our priority to ensure that our members are protected from governments balancing their budgets on the backs of public employees especially during economic crises such as this.” In addition to these guarantees, BCFPE members will receive a 2% cost-of-living increase on June 30, 2021, as well as a grade increase for pay schedule 1C Employees.

This decisive action is why union membership makes the difference.

If you know of co-workers who are not a part of the union, tell them about how BCFPE is protecting county employees and encourage them to become a member.

 

2020-06-30