The University of Maryland and AFSCME Reach Agreement

The University of Maryland and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) reached a three-year agreement yesterday on a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding covering wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.

This agreement covers approximately 1,700 non-exempt maintenance, office, service, technical, and para-professional employees on the College Park campus. The Memorandum of Understanding still has to be approved by President C. D. Mote, Jr., the University of Maryland Board of Regents, and must be ratified by the union membership.

The agreement brings to a close lengthy negotiations with AFSCME over this first MOU governing non-exempt employees. "We are happy to have reached an agreement with our non-exempt employees. We have bargained in good faith and the MOU that has been negotiated represents a strong framework for future relations with the union," said John Porcari, vice president for administrative affairs.

President Mote congratulated both sides on their dedication and willingness to reach agreement. "The strength of the university is in its committed and faithful employees. We are very pleased to have reached this milestone agreement and look forward to working together to build this great university."

Porcari said he is pleased that the agreement has resulted in a number of new benefits for employees including a salary increase, establishment of a professional development day and a bereavement leave policy. Additionally, tuition remission and several other existing policies have been solidified under the umbrella of this agreement.

The University reached agreement last year with the Fraternal Order of Police, which represents the sworn police officers on the College Park campus. The University continues to negotiate with AFSCME in the first agreement with the exempt bargaining unit employees.