Please join us in a show of solidarity for our public safety members February 22, 2011 for the public hearing at the Anne Arundel County Council Chambers in Annapolis. We strongly oppose proposed legislative action that would dismantle our members' right to binding arbitration - the guarantee to fair and impartial labor dispute resolution free of partisanship and politics.
   In his continued attack against the County's unionized workers Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold submitted a bill (Bill 4-11) that would eliminate the County Charter's binding arbitration statute, a statute approved in 2002 to public-safety employees by almost 80% of Anne Arundel County voters.
   Leopold's claim that County residents could face substantial tax increases to subsidize arbitration awards is misleading and inaccurate. A press release issued by the Coalition of Public Safety Unions (including Teamsters Local 355) points out that the County Executive "fails to acknowledge that, under the current collective bargaining system, if an arbitrator's award is such that it would be damaging to our County, the sitting County Council has the legislative authority to pass emergency legislation which would overturn the arbitrator's decision."
   Joanna Conti, the Democratic candidate for county executive, wrote in a February 3, 2011 letter to The Capitol, "One has to wonder if Leopold, known for his vindictiveness, isn't attempting to take away this crucial employee right to retaliate for the fact that none of the public safety unions endorsed his re-election."

February 22, 2011

Anne Arundel County Council Chambers

44 Calvert Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Sessions start at 7pm

Carpools depart from the Union Hall promptly at 4:30 pm

Contact Business Agents Dan Taylor or Jim Deene
at 410-566-5700 if you are interested in joining us.

Flyer for download attached.

flyer+support+publicemployees.pdf