Maryland Teachers Unions

Teachers and education professionals in Maryland are primarily represented by the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) and AFT Maryland. MSEA is affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers union in the United States, and advocates for educators through collective bargaining, legal support and political engagement. They are deeply involved in political advocacy, pushing for more money for public education but also taking stands on controversial social issues as well as generally for higher taxes and spending.

AFT-Maryland is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and plays a significant role, especially in urban districts like Baltimore, where it represents teachers through the Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU). Both labor unions focus on working to improve teacher salaries, working conditions and education policy through political advocacy.

Maryland State Education Association (MSEA)

Leadership

• President: Paul Lemle
• Vice President: Nikki Woodward
• Treasurer: Colleen Morris
• Executive Director: Sean Johnson
• Executive assistant: Maura Taylor

Organization
The Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) is a statewide labor union that represents over 75,000 educators and public school employees. The organization is governed by MSEA’s President, Vice President, and Treasurer who are elected by members to lead the association.

MSEA operates through local affiliates across Maryland, with each affiliate representing educators at the district level, such as the Baltimore County Teachers Association or the Prince George’s County Educators’ Association. These local affiliates handle negotiations, member concerns and labor agreements within their school districts.

The union also has committees that focus on specific issues, like professional development, legislative advocacy and organizing political action.

Member Dues
Annual dues for full-time educators generally range from $500 to $900, but the exact amount depends on the local affiliate and district. Local chapters set their own dues, so the total cost can vary from one region to another. These dues fund a variety of services such as collective bargaining, legal representation, professional development and advocacy efforts.

Meetings
The MSEA holds its primary statewide meeting annually. This meeting is attended by elected delegates from local affiliates across Maryland, where they vote on key policies, elect officers and set the union’s direction for the year. Additionally, the Board of Directors and various committees meet regularly throughout the year to handle governance and specific issues, which can include legislative priorities or professional development initiatives.

Local affiliates also hold their own regular meetings, often monthly or quarterly, to address local concerns, contract negotiations and to communicate with members about union activities.

Requirements
To join the Maryland State Education Association, prospective members must be employed in an education-related role within the state. Membership is typically through a local MSEA-affiliated union in the school district where the individual works. Members are required to pay annual dues, which contribute to state and national union activities as well as local initiatives.

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Pros and Cons

• Pros: MSEA supports members by negotiating better wages and working conditions, offering legal protection and provisioning professional development resources. It also advocates for education policies at the state and national levels to influence legislative outcomes.
• Cons: Dues can be costly for some members and political involvement may cause disagreements. Individuals may also feel like their contribution to policymaking is limited as support often varies between districts.

American Federation of Teachers Maryland (AFT Maryland)

Leadership

• AFT President of Maryland: Kenya Campbell
• Secretary/Treasurer of Maryland: LaBrina Hopkins

Organization
AFT Maryland is organized as a state federation of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and represents a range of public employees, including educators, school staff, and higher education professionals. The union’s leadership consists of elected officers, including a President, Vice Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer who are responsible for overseeing the organization.

The union is made up of local affiliates, which include the Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU) and other locals representing educators and public employees in different counties and districts. Local affiliates handle collective bargaining, member services, and negotiations specific to their districts, while the state federation coordinates statewide efforts, including political advocacy and legislative lobbying.

Member Dues
Dues are generally around $600-$800 per year. But they vary depending on the specific local affiliate and membership type. For instance, members of the Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees (BCFPE), a local under AFT Maryland, saw their dues increase from $25.43 to $26.92 per pay period as of October 1, 2023​.

Meetings
AFT Maryland holds meetings at different levels and frequencies depending on the union’s activities and local needs. At the state level, the union’s Executive Board and leadership typically meet several times a year to handle governance, discuss strategy, and plan political and advocacy efforts. Additionally, conventions are held every two years, where elected delegates from local unions gather to set policy, elect officers and discuss key union initiatives.

Local affiliates, like the Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU), may hold more frequent meetings, to address district-specific concerns, contract negotiations, and member issues. Special committees and task forces within the union may meet as needed, depending on their focus, such as professional development, organizing or political action.

Requirements
To join AFT Maryland, individuals must work in an eligible position in education or public service within the state. This includes K-12 teachers, school support staff, higher education faculty and other public employees. Membership usually requires joining both the local affiliate and the statewide teachers union. All members are required to pay annual dues, which vary depending on their role and local affiliate agreements.

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Pros and Cons

• Pros: AFT Maryland works to help its members secure better pay and benefits, provides legal support in disputes and advocates for professional development to enhance career prospects.
• Cons: Dues for AFT Maryland can be a burden for some and political views may not align with all members. Contract provisions favor more senior workers at the expense of newer employees.

Call to Action

Union membership is a choice. If you decide union membership is not right for you, opting out is easy.