What a Bargain!
Name three things Supervisors can win at the bargaining table!
That was all correct!
How many members does AFSCME have in the state of Maryland?
What about nationwide?
45,000!
1.5 million!
Stephanie P. Supervisor wants to know why they even have to sign this card, she heard the law passed!
The law gives Supervisors the right to collectively bargain, but it does not organize for them, that part is up to them. The cards prove a majority of Supervisors want to form their Union with AFSCME.
What is Inoculation, and what is the point?
Just like with the medical version, Inoculation exposes individuals to the things that might hurt their efforts to organize. This helps people prepare to withstand the actual threat. This could be challenges they'll face in speaking to their coworkers, getting cards signed, or the efforts of other organizations.
What even is a MAT structure? (don't say member action team!)
All correct! It is the structure that facilitates organizing through membership, and all the things that entails!
How will bargaining work for supervisors? Are we bound by the same contract as everyone else?
No! This will be a contract bargained by supervisors, for supervisors, so it addresses the concerns and issues most important to you all.
What has AFSCME already been able to accomplish for Supervisors, even before this law?
- MDH supervisors 20 year retirement
- DPP telework restored
- Union Representation
What two things does the Supervisor card do, exactly?
1. It makes you a member of AFSCME, and gives you access to representation and legal resources immediately.
2. It is your "yes" vote for the new Supervisor Union, which is necessary to get to the bargaining table and bargain a contract.
What would you say if a supervisor said joining AFSCME was a "conflict of interest" because it is the same union of the people they supervise?
- we deal with internal disputes all the time, and have independent structures for representation. AKA, you each get representation!
- Being in the same union makes us stronger, both at the table and when we represent our coworkers.
What can I, Peter T. Supervisor, do to be a part of my MAT Structure?
- Talk to your coworkers
- Collect Assessments and Cards
- Attend meetings
- Keep your coworkers informed about the campaign
How can Supervisors make their voice heard?
- Become a member
- Go to a meeting
- Talk to coworkers
- Bargaining survey
Why should we organize under AFSCME?
- Expertise
- Power
- Experience
- So much more!
Bobby D. Angry Supervisor says "I have a problem with AFSCME, and I don't want to join!" what do we say?
Good job!
2,000, counting retirees
- This is your union, not ours, so it's up to you to build it and make it strong!
- We can help, but at the end of the day it's your power that keeps the state at the table, and that power has to be organized and informed
- You know your coworkers better than us, and you see them much more, that trust is key to building your Union
You're knocking on a door on a beautiful sunny day. John Q. Supervisor answers and says "I'm going to get the benefits of the contract anyway, so why should I sign this?"
"well, this is actually determinative of you having a union at all, so your coworkers need you to sign!"
In what states have Supervisors organized with AFSCME?
Connecticut, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, New Jersey, California, Minnesota, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Florida Supervisors have organized with AFSCME.
Bonus: council 3 represents supervisors in the Baltimore County Housing Authority, PG county Health Department, and Howard County.
I'm still paying my dues, so I don't need to sign this card.
"that is not true! It won't change anything about your dues, and you can't be charged twice, but this card is still your yes vote, so you still need to sign it."
What do we say to a supervisor to inoculate them on the campaign generally?
- "What do you think will prevent you all from succeeding?"
- "What sort of challenges will Supervisors face as they unionize?"
I don't get along with the current steward here, so I don't want to join!
Supervisors will have their own stewards, and you can build trust from the ground up, but first you have to stand up together, and that is what today is about.
What are some of the things AFSCME was able to win from the state in bargaining this year?
All true! Unless it was not true.
- Not CORS!
Are Supervisors going to be treated the same in AFSCME has everyone else?
Yes! They will have the same rights, privileges and participation. This is your union too, and we are ready to have you in it.
What happens if we don't get 50%? Are we still members of the union?
You would still be a member of AFSCME, and vver a thousand supervisors were members of AFSCME before we even started this campaign, and those benefits don't go away. But this is about commitment, both to your union and your fellow supervisors, and the only way we win is by getting in all the way. That ensures a new contract for you and your coworkers.
Time for a role play! Drew C. Supervisor says "I've heard that folks are talking to MCEA as well, so what's the difference? Why should I sign this card now?"
- The AFSCME Difference
- MCEA is not a true union
- It is a distraction
- Stronger together
- AFSCME Wins
How do organizers work on MAT structure in a 1-1 conversation?
start with list work! Every time, right then. Who do you know, where are they, and can you get them for me now? If not, can you talk to them and I can follow up?