Hogan Touts Historic Agreements With State Employee Unions
ANNAPOLIS M.d. (WJZ) -- Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday announced that Maryland has reached historic agreements with several state employee unions that include substantial salary increases.
The governor said the agreements resulting from union negotiations will boost pay significantly for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement officers and other frontline healthcare workers.
Among the unions that came to terms with the state are: the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), State Law Enforcement Officers Labor Alliance (SLEOLA), BWI Airport Firefighters Local 142 and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Healthcare.
"These historic agreements are well-deserved for our hard working state employees and they deliver on one of our top priorities—to re-fund the police and support our first responders," Hogan said. "Many of the employees of these unions are law enforcement officers and nurses—front line heroes who worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud to take care of them with these agreements."
Employees represented by FOP, SLEOLA and BWI Firefighters will see a wage increase of 7% effective on July 1, 2022, with additional wage increases spaced out through 2023.
Nurses will also receive a 6% wage increase on July 1, 2022.
Employees represented by AFT-Healthcare will receive a 2% valued wage increase and a $1,000 bonus in January 2022.
Non-represented employees will receive a 2% wage increase and a $1,000 bonus in January 2022, with additional benefits and yearly wage increases.
The Hogan administration said it has offered sizable salary increases to two other unions, and it's looking forward to finalizing agreements with them.
Among other things, the governor said there will also be a greater emphasis placed on mental health resources for state workers.
