Howard Community College Congratulates Prospective Partner American Federation of Teachers
COLUMBIA, MD – The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) of Howard Community College (HCC) have submitted a petition to the Employee Relations Board on behalf of HCC. The college acknowledges the faculty's right to unionize and awaits official notification of the union's status.
By engaging in collective bargaining, unions aim to ensure that the concerns and perspectives of educators are considered in a collaborative and transparent manner, aiming to enhance the quality of education and services provided. The college is enthusiastic about the prospects of future collaboration and is excited to work in partnership with the faculty.
The upcoming phase in this process entails the verification of votes by the Maryland State Public Employee Relations Board. This confirmation is expected within the next 30 days. “We look forward to continuing to follow the process under the guidance of the Maryland State Public Employee Relations Board,” said Joe Whalen, Executive Vice President of Campus Culture and Chief Human Resources Officer.
The college aims to continue to foster an environment where all employees thrive, including our wonderful and talented faculty. “We respect the choice of our full-time faculty to unionize and believe that their collective voice will continue to contribute to the overall advancement of Howard Community College. We remain committed to fostering a productive and respectful relationship with the faculty as we work together to create a thriving academic community” said Delisle Warden, Vice President for Policy and General Counsel.
Recognizing that the administration has been proactively preparing for this milestone, HCC aims to continue to sustain its collaborative ethos with all employees. The college's proactive engagement underscores its dedication to fostering a vibrant academic community and a culture of care and belonging.