On January 28, Associate Director of Policy Karrington Anderson testified before the Appropriations Committee in opposition to HB 205 Employment Standards – Firefighters – Payment of Wages and Payroll Information. This bill would eliminate local bargaining authority over firefighter schedules and overtime policies and instead establish a statewide mandate for uniform schedules and overtime policies.
By mandating uniform policies across the state, HB 205 would negate existing collective bargaining agreements to the detriment of county governments and Maryland residents. The bill would shift all firefighting units to a 42-hour work week, with anything over that being considered overtime. Additionally, and concerningly, HB 205 would count any expended paid leave toward the mandated 42-hour work week standard.
HB 205 is a one-size-fits-all approach that threatens to undermine local firefighting operations, place an undue financial burden on county governments, and compromise emergency response services for Maryland residents.
More on MACo’s Advocacy:
