Winter Storm Forecasted TONIGHT- Know Your State of Emergency Rights

We keep Maryland safe and moving 365 days a year. But we have rights in our MOU that must be respected, even when the snow is falling and roads are icy. During periods of bad weather, it’s important to make sure our MOU is respected.

During times like these, we need to be leaders. Help your co-workers, provide guidance, and make sure their rights are protected. It is most important that our co-workers are safe, comfortable, and provided for.

We have also set up an AFSCME Emergency Pay Hotline at (410) 547-1515 ext. 253 for questions and potential contract violations. Please pass this number along to your co-workers.

STATE of EMERGENCY Worker's Rights 

Please note that these apply to AFSCME bargaining unit members who are covered by the MOU and whose facilities are affected by a state closure. If any of these rights or procedures are violated, make detailed notes, find a witness, and get all info to your union steward or the AFSCME office ASAP.

EMERGENCY PAY

In order to receive emergency pay (up to two times your base pay), two conditions must be in effect:

1. The State of Maryland is closed
2. There is a declared state of emergency

Otherwise, you receive your regular pay.
Article 10, Sec. 5C

ROAD CLOSURE

If a jurisdiction closes the road that takes you to work to ALL NON-EMERGENCY TRAFFIC, your employer must either provide transportation to work (you must REQUEST the transportation) or grant administrative leave. If the roads aren’t closed, you have the duty to report to work.
Article 10, Sec. 5C

SLEEP TIME

The employer must pay you if you must remain at your facility to sleep. If you stay there to sleep, you are to receive on-call pay.
Article 6, Sec. 11