Maryland union files unfair labor practice claims against the state

Maryland’s largest public employees union filed a series of unfair labor practice complaints Tuesday, claiming state administrators have violated rules on employee surveillance at work and unilaterally changed agreed-upon policies on telework eligibility and shift differentials.

The complaints by members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 3 came as part of a broader appeal to Gov. Wes Moore (D) and state lawmakers for better pay and working conditions at a time when the state, and state agencies, are under stress.

“We’re at a critical time in Maryland when we have an administration in Washington that has made it their mission to go after the public services millions rely on,” said Council 3 President Patrick Moran, backed by more than two dozen state workers at a Baltimore news conference.

“We need a state government and state leadership that are standing up to those threats and charting a different course. Standing with public employees means not committing unfair labor practices,” he said.

A spokesperson for the governor said Tuesday afternoon that the Moore administration has continued to support public servants while also managing a “historic budget crisis as Maryland continues to face unprecedented attacks from the federal administration.”

“From day one, Gov. Moore has consistently stood up for Maryl...