rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/governor-hogan-come-back-to-the-bargaining-table?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-governor-hogan-come-back-to-the-bargaining-table' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> AFSCME Council 3 https://actionnetwork.org/groups/afscme-council-3 https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg Following a failed attempt at significant cuts to frontline employees at the July 1st Board of Public Works meeting, the AFSCME elected bargaining team began negotiating with Governor Hogan.     We came to these negotiations with the Hogan administration wanting to reach an agreement. After much internal discussion, the AFSCME bargaining team put forward significant proposals that would allow the state to get through the current crisis. These proposals combined budget cuts with the appropriate use of state savings.     We believe that only through careful and respectful dialogue and negotiation can we strike the right balance-meeting the economic challenges without crippling the State of Maryland’s response to the COVID-19 epidemic. AFSCME understands the difficult economic position our state is in, however, management must recognize that AFSCME Council 3 members are truly on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19.   It is a difficult balance, but the residents of Maryland deserve our best effort. We urge the Governor and his team to return to the table and continue negotiating. We believe an agreement is possible. If the Hogan administration chooses the path of conflict and avoidance, we are prepared to fight and organize. Given the current crisis we believe that discussion and compromise are the wisest steps. To the Hogan Administration: Come back to the bargaining table. The residents of Maryland deserve better. Send an email today and stay tuned for updates. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/governor-hogan-come-back-to-the-bargaining-table