For immediate release: June 8th, 2020
First Maryland Correctional Officer Loses Life to Novel Coronavirus
AFSMCE Maryland extends our deepest condolences to the Officer and her family. Over 70% of positive COVID19 cases in DOC are among staff. With staffing levels already critically low prior to the pandemic beginning in March, many Officers are working extra shifts and mandatory overtime to maintain staffing levels. It’s critical that Governor Hogan act immediately to fund the frontlines and support frontline workers who continue to report to all facilities, especially congregate care facilities. Returning and re-opening our economy safely necessitates prioritizing the health and safety of frontline workers and the Governor needs to take immediate action to provide clear guidance to all state agencies on how to safely resume operations.
The Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees will hear from the state department heads and frontline employees from various state agencies on the state's response to the Coronavirus pandemic tomorrow at 1pm. AFSCME Council 3, the largest public employee union in Maryland representing state and higher education employees, has been critical of the state's response to the pandemic, particularly their delay in allowing employees to mask, lack of PPE, lack of universal testing, as well as many other key safety needs.
AFSCME Council 3 President Patrick Moran made the following statement:
"The Hogan administration has blood on its hands. They barred masking in our prisons and state hospitals early on in the pandemic. They have just begun testing but by no means have they tested everyone. They are continual putting our members and by extension the public at risk. To this day there are departments and institutions that still have not addressed many of the basics that need to happen in order for the state to successfully take on this pandemic and ensure the safety of state employees and those that they serve."
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AFSCME Maryland is the state's largest and fastest growing union for state and higher education employees. We're not afraid to take on tought fights and when we fight, we win.