Feb. 9, 2012
Sen. George Edwards and Del. Wendell Beitzel will not pursue a legislative request by the Board of Garrett County Commissioners that would mandate collective bargaining for Garrett County Roads Department employees currently represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 67, Local 1834.
By a vote of 2 to 1, the commissioners asked the local lawmakers during a meeting on Dec. 20, 2011, to submit bills in the current Maryland General Assembly session that would allow for collective bargaining.
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The county has informally recognized the union and conducted collective bargaining on a voluntary basis since the 1970s. Commissioners Jim Raley and Bob Gatto indicated during the December meeting that mandated collective bargaining would offer the roads workers some protection and job security, regardless of who held county or state offices.
Commissioner Gregan Crawford opposed the collective bargaining issue.
Raley acknowledged during the December meeting that a local resolution would need to be written that talked about some of the “nitty gritty” details between the union and the county, including such issues as membership requirements and strikes.
Edwards and Beitzel informed the commissioners in a letter dated Jan. 30 that they would not introduce the proposed legislation.
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