Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Workers at Howard Community College (HCC) and Frederick Community College (FCC) in Maryland filed for official union recognition on Aug. 21. More than 80% of the 170 faculty at HCC and 100 faculty at FCC petitioned the state Public Employee Relations Board to join the American Association of University Professors, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and AFT-Maryland. HCC faculty are fighting for respect and job security. FCC faculty also are organizing for respect and an end to ever-increasing workloads, abusive management, unclear and inconsistent policies, and inadequate and stagnant compensation.
“I support FCC faculty’s unionization effort because the history of the institution shows that no existing organization, including FCC's board of trustees and various state and regional accreditation organizations, will protect faculty and other employees from abusive administrators,” said FCC math faculty member Greg Coldren. “The solidarity and power we are creating with our union will ensure our protection.”