(ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND) - Workers at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (OPD) have won their Union Election and have voted to certify American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Maryland Council 3 as their exclusive Bargaining Representative.

One Bargaining Unit will consist of core (Administrative and Support) Staff and another Bargaining Unit will consist of Intake Staff, Investigators, Social Workers and Attorneys.

These two Bargaining Units span the entire State in 12 districts and include over 600 OPD Workers.

For the Unit representing Intake Staff, Social Workers, Investigators and Attorneys, Workers voted 233-to-8 in favor of their Union.

For the Unit representing Core Staff, Workers voted 45-to-1 in favor of their Union.

The Secret Ballot Election was conducted via mail over a two-week period from November 15th through December 1st.

"For too long, we’ve been discounted, disrespected and undervalued,” said Kalia Woods, an Administrative Aide with the Prince George’s County OPD office. “Decisions have been made that draw dividing lines between us and ultimately affect the work we are able to do for our clients.  We have sent a message with this vote that we are standing together to say ‘not anymore.’”

This success comes after more than two years of organizing efforts by these Workers.

The Maryland Defenders Union (AFSCME Local 423/MDU) first announced their intent to Unionize back in August 2020.

Workers cited inadequate staffing levels, record high turnover rates and impossibly high workloads and caseloads as some of the main reasons they sought to Unionize.

“Staff are leaving because there aren’t enough resources to do our jobs adequately and ethically, because of oppressive workloads and caseloads that never get more manageable, and because we have been ignored when calling out for change,” said Marci Tarrant Johnson, a Public Defender in the Baltimore City OPD Office and President of the Maryland Defenders Union.

In the 2022 legislative session, AFSCME Members worked with State Legislators to pass legislation to expand Collective Bargaining Rights to OPD Employees, including changing the designation of OPD Attorneys from Special Appointee Status to Merit Status.

With this win, OPD Workers will join nearly 30,000 Maryland State and Higher Education Employees who have Collective Bargaining Rights in their agencies and workplaces.

“This is a big win for OPD Workers who have been fighting to have their voices heard and respected in their workplaces,” AFSCME Maryland Council 3 President Patrick Moran said. “Now, they join AFSCME Members across the State who enjoy the benefits of their Collective Bargaining Agreements.  Together, we will continue to organize for the pay, respect and better working conditions every State Worker deserves.”

To Read This Organizing Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: www.afscme.org/blog/workers-at-marylands-public-defender-office-certify-afscme-as-their-union