Collective Bargaining in the University System of Maryland (USM)

The USM supports employees’ rights to determine for themselves whether or not they think collective bargaining is beneficial and, if eligible, to take part or refrain from taking part in forming, joining, supporting, or participating in an employee organization (i.e., a union) or its lawful activities. Employees should know that even if they are in a bargaining unit represented by an exclusive representative, they may still discuss any matter with their employer without the intervention of the exclusive representative or other employee organization.

Employees’ eligibility for collective bargaining rights is governed by state law. Approximately 6,000 USM employees are currently represented by an organization certified as their exclusive bargaining representative. This means that the exclusive representative is entitled to negotiate with the institution’s president or designee(s) or, where applicable, the chancellor or the chancellor’s designee(s) over wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment on behalf of bargaining unit employees.

The current bargaining units and their respective exclusive bargaining representatives are listed below:

*Exclusive Representative Acronyms:
AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees)
FOP (Fraternal Order of Police)
MCEA (Maryland Classified Employees Association)