University System of Maryland, AFSCME ink agreement to enhance employees salaries and benefits

The agreement will offer many benefits for the workers represented by the union including improved wages and paid leave.

Study in US: The University System of Maryland (USM) in the US has signed an agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Maryland Council 3 to offer multiple benefits for the workers represented by the union including improved salaries.

While commenting on this, USM Chancellor Jay A. Perman said, “I’m grateful to everyone on the USM and AFSCME teams who got this done. The negotiations were complex and took a lot of effort. But the outcome is what both sides were hoping for: An agreement that supports the University System’s employees, values their hard work and contributions, and stewards our resources responsibly so that we can continue providing affordable, exceptional education to Maryland students.”

President of AFSCME Maryland Council 3 said, “We are proud to have reached this historic milestone with the University System of Maryland. Ensuring that Marylanders are able to access high-quality higher education on each of these campuses starts with ensuring that the workers who keep these schools running have the resources and support they need to do their jobs. This unified contract represents progress and a step in the right direction."

University System of Maryland, AFSCME agreement: Benefits, Other Details

Following the agreement, the minimum salary of employees increases to $38,000 per year. After this collaboration, every eligible employee will get a pay increase of a minimum of 5.5% effective July 1, 2024. Nonexempt employees will now get to earn more annual leave. Other benefits include enhanced seniority rights for unionized employees and the agreement promotes the overall health, safety and general welfare of employees.

The memorandum of understanding was signed for a period of three years. It is the first consolidated agreement between both parties. The contract covers around 95 percent of unionized employees which is around 5,700 employees at nine of the system’s 12 institutions.

"The agreement also provides for additional COLA and merit increases in the second two years of the contract, a flat increase to base pay for AFSCME covered employees on January 1 during each year of the agreement, and additional pay increases during the term of the contract to employees with five or more years of service, contingent on funding from the General Assembly," reads the official statement.

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