Member Spotlight:  Keith Westbrook

Local 921 Vice President Keith Westbrook is a Public Workers Technician for Baltimore County and one of the many essential workers who keep our roads moving. From salting the roads, removing snow, to installing utility pipes, him and his crew are always on the job.

Keith has been a proud AFSCME member for over 19 years. "I signed up for my union on my first day on the job. I've worked jobs with and without a union and I saw the difference," he says. "In my line of work, without a union, safety regulations get ignored and lives get put at risk."

Alongside Local 921's executive board, Keith works to ensure everyone is safe on the job and that management is held accountable to their union contract.

Recently, Keith and other members of the bargaining team took Baltimore County to arbitration after the County attempted to withhold retention bonuses negotiated in their latest contract. The team prevailed, securing more than $500,000 over the life of the current contract.

"This was my first time being apart of the arbitration process," Keith explains. "Both sides agreed on a mediator, got to select a jury and make their own case. Waiting was the hard part but in 30 days I got to inform over 300 members that we were receiving our retention bonus."

Reflecting on that experience, Keith adds, "Binding arbitration levels the playing field and give workers a real way to enforce the contracts we fight for."