Collective Bargaining

Objected to the 'non-exempt' phrasing, arguing working foremen shouldn't be exempted from bargaining units and that confidential-employee definitions need care.

Commented during the charter discussion period on the resolution's language.

Speaking for Public Works employees, asked the Council to recognize their bargaining agent once most employees show support through signed authorization cards.

A Parks and Recreation employee asking the City to recognize the Recreation Department's bargaining group via cards, not an election.

A Parks and Recreation employee requesting union recognition through signed cards rather than an election.

Supported card check over another election for Public Works staff, and also raised concerns about more speed cameras in the west side.

Warned about misinformation claiming staff don't know what they're signing with check cards; noted he's worked with Jackson Lewis.

Suggested changing 'may' to 'shall' in Section 13-237(C2) so the labor commissioner must present the option to the Council rather than decide alone.

From Greenbelt East, stressed that Public Works employees should be treated with respect as first responders.

Returned to stress the inherent right of all workers to organize and strike.

Confused by the '250 employees' figure, he asked how many workers would actually be eligible to bargain once managerial, seasonal, and part-time exclusions are applied.

Pressed the City Manager to publicly publish, in the News Review, a directive that Public Works management not impede employees' unionization efforts — repeating a request first made two weeks earlier.

Argued bargaining units should follow the 'community of interests' standard so Public Works and Parks can be separate units, objected to draft code language forcing all non-police employees into one unit, asked that union representatives be allowed at any employee meetings, and noted unionization is about more than pay — workload, treatment, and non-retaliation matter too.

Asked why confidential employees are excluded from bargaining units; later urged the council not to hesitate on moving forward with the code changes.

Via Zoom (with audio trouble): asked the city to look to public-sector rather than private-sector union comparisons, and pressed hard for protections covering part-time staff — many of them women — who were historically 'invisible' and lacked health benefits.

Acknowledged budget constraints if more employees unionize, but said fair treatment matters; argued code changes are secondary to recognizing the charter right, and asked that employee meetings be open to representatives of the employees' choosing.

Raised concerns about the city's labor attorney also working both sides, said workers should choose their own union at the table, questioned a reported one-month card-check window, and urged the council 'shall' rather than 'may' approve good-faith contracts.

Read a letter expressing concerns about the timing of the collective bargaining charter amendment legislation.

Read a letter supporting the bargaining rights amendment and urging the city to end its agreement with the law firm Jackson Lewis.