Labor Relations
The Labor Relations unit provides representation, leadership, and guidance to supervisors and managers, HR practitioners, and campus leadership on the University’s rights and responsibilities regarding employees whom an exclusive bargaining representative represents.
The Labor Relations unit also collaborates with exclusive bargaining representatives or unions to resolve and address issues at the lowest level.
Collective Bargaining Agreements
Collective bargaining agreements are negotiated contracts or Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) that govern the terms and conditions of employment for bargaining unit employees who are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative. These MOUs include topics such as wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) represents certain nonexempt and exempt employees and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) represents sworn police officers on campus. The AFSCME and FOP MOUs are included below.
Get Engaged
The labor relations program holds periodic Union Engagement Committee meetings for HR practitioners who work with bargaining unit employees. Please contact Morgan Evans to join an upcoming meeting.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with the Labor Relations unit, please get in touch with Keisha Williams.
Morgan Evans
Labor Relations Program Admin. Specialist
Email: laborrelations@umd.edu
Office: (301) 405-1763
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Keisha Williams, Esq.
Labor Relations Program Director
Email: laborrelations@umd.edu
Office: (301) 405-7004
Fax: (301) 405-5885
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Guidance Materials
These resources share the basic information that a manager or supervisor of a bargaining unit employee needs to know regarding their rights and responsibilities. The resources also provide important guidance regarding the MOU that applies to bargaining unit employees represented by AFSCME.
- 2024 Information Session: Key Requirements (Recording and Presentation Slides)
- 2024 Refresher Information Session (Presentation Slides)
- 2024 AFSCME MOU Update Chart
- Labor Relations Basics: Identifying & Working with Union Employees
- Job Steward Release Time Guide
- Job Steward Release Time Form
Note: Access to these resources is limited to supervisors, managers and campus HR partners.
USM Employee and Labor Relations
The University System of Maryland (USM) has published an Employee and Labor Relations webpage that provides useful information on employee wages, benefits and resources. The page also includes a helpful frequently asked questions (FAQ) page on common employee and labor relations questions.
USM and AFSCME Consolidated Bargaining Information
The collective bargaining laws that govern the University changed in 2022 to allow a single bargaining representative to negotiate a unified collective bargaining agreement for multiple bargaining units. As a result, the University is currently engaged in a consolidated negotiation process with USM-affiliated institutions that employ AFSCME bargaining unit employees.
For information on the consolidated bargaining process, including upcoming dates for bargaining and a detailed summary of the bargaining process, visit the USM consolidated bargaining webpage.
AFSCME Shop Stewards
Article 13, Section 1 of the Exempt and Nonexempt AFSCME MOUs permit AFSCME to appoint job stewards. Job stewards are employees at College Park designated to represent employees.
University Human Resources may contact you if a job steward you supervise is seeking duty time to represent employees consistent with applicable MOU(s).