After 19 months of negotiation, Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) faculty voted unanimously to ratify their first-ever union contract. The contract gives faculty increased wages, a clear path to promotion, and protections for their union in the event of a merger. They are represented b y United Academics of Maryland, Local 6628 (UAMD), an affiliate of AFT Maryland. BCCC is the seventh UAMD-represented institution to ratify a contract since the state legislature expanded collective bargaining rights to community college faculty in 2021. “This achievement comes after 19 months of refusing to back down against challenging negotiations with the College and continued efforts to undermine faculty rights,” said Angelique Cook-Hayes, UAMD president and BCCC faculty member. “Faculty remained united against attempts to divide us and worked alongside the broader BCCC community to address key issues including due process, seniority, compensation, and the inclusion of program coordinators in the bargaining unit. This historic agreement represents a major victory for the rights of higher education workers across Maryland and proof of what we can accomplish when we stand together.” The faculty at BCCC will see wage increases of at least 8.25 percent over the life of the contract, which includes a 3.25 percent raise and $1,000 bonus in the first year. The contract also includes clearer criteria for promotion, critical protections, and an agreement that promises the union stays intact if there is a merger or reduction in force. This guarantees the faculty will keep its voice, representation, and protections in the future. “For 19 months, faculty showed up at the bargaining table in good faith, negotiating – and now overwhelmingly ratifying – an agreement that reflects the dedication they bring to their students every day,” said Kenya Campbell, president of AFT Maryland and a vice president of the American Federation of Teachers. “BCCC faculty were tireless in a contract negotiation marred by management’s efforts to delay and undermine faculty at every turn, from unionizing to ratifying a first-ever union contract. It wasn’t an easy road, but it is time for BCCC to honor the hard work of faculty and their unanimous vote to ratify this contract.” BCCC’s contract win comes soon after a recent audit that confirmed what faculty have been complaining about for years about widespread mismanagement, understaffing, poor working conditions, and more. The fallout of this mismanagement has burdened the faculty unfairly, they say, and this union contract addresses those issues. “Faculty at Baltimore City Community College work tirelessly to prepare our young people for a brighter future—all they ask for in return is to be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” said Randi Weingarten, AFT president. “This hard-fought first contract guarantees pathways to promotions, secures significant and overdue wage increases, and provides protections to ensure faculty can always be represented by a union. It shows, once again, that by joining together we can achieve a far better life for educators, students and communities than we ever could alone. That is what a fair contract is all about.” BCCC is the only community college in Baltimore City. As such it plays an important role in the city’s workforce development. It serves a predominantly Black, working-class, and immigrant student population. The faculty view this contract win as a way to deliver high-quality education to their students and set them up for the best chance for success. ...read more read less