Earlier this month, faculty at both Frederick Community College and Howard Community College came together and formed a union at their workplace.  Faculty members organized together because they know the benefits of a union contract - better pay and benefits and stronger protections on the job.

In a statement released by their union, the Maryland affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, Greg Coldren, a math professor at FCC college, said that “the solidarity and power we are creating with our union will ensure our protection.”

“I support FCC faculty’s unionization effort because the history of the institution shows that no existing organization, including FCC’s Board-of-Trustees and various state and regional accreditation organizations, will protect faculty and other employees from abusive administrators,” Coldren said.

In response, FCC President Annesa Cheek said the college “supports the right of all employees regarding their ability to engage in the collective bargaining process.”

You can read more about these historic achievements here and here.

Both of these victories at FCC and HCC are just one part of a growing union movement here in Maryland and beyond. AFSCME's nearly 100,000 members working in higher education have won things like wage increases, retirement benefits, better staffing policies, and much more!