“The state of our union is good”. With that announcement, President John Ripley shared with the general body the good news of the Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees (BCFPE). The union’s general membership meeting featured food, fellowship, and updates on the business of the union. President Ripley and Executive Vice President Adam Hendrix represented the executive board at the meeting fielding specific questions from members and giving those in attendance a general overview of the affairs of BCFPE.
The president reported the union is in good financial standing and all accounts have been reconciled as recent as September 2019. While the Janus Supreme Court decision has had an impact on all public-sector unions, BCFPE has maintained strong membership. Since we are so strong, when we use our voice politically, residents and elected officials in the county listen. Given that, President Ripley urged members to consider contributing to the Committee for Political Education (COPE) fund. This account is the sole funds for any union political activity as the union does not use member dues for its political activity.
As BCFPE prepares for our next round of negotiations there will be a five person committee representing the union. The Negotiations Committee features President Ripley and Vice President Hendrix as well as representatives from Corrections, the 911 Center, and the Department of Public Works. The current contract is scheduled to expire June 30, 2020. On July 1, 2020 members are currently scheduled to receive a two percent cost of living allowance (COLA) increase.
Members in attendance did have some questions. Those from corrections were concerned about rumors of a 12 hour shift. President Ripley commented that he was aware of the rumors, however there can be no permanent changes to schedules cannot be implemented unless the membership votes on it. He compared it to a similar experience with 9-1-1 workers who put a proposed schedule change to a vote.
For the complete minutes from the Sept. 25, 2019 General Membership Meeting, click here.
2019-09-25