Morgan State University Board of Regents Unanimously Votes to Approve Contract Agreement With AFSCME

New Collective Bargaining Agreement Extends University’s Relationship With Union Local 1885 Until 2026

BALTIMORE — Today, during the public session of its February quarterly meeting, Morgan State University’s Board of Regents voted unanimously to approve a new collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 3. The new three-year agreement, which expires on June 30, 2026, provides union employees working at Morgan with a host of expanded benefits and provisions, further improving workplace conditions. Of the University’s nearly 2,000 staff employees, approximately 400 are members of AFSCME Local 1885.

“We are very pleased that the Board unanimously approved the agreement with AFSCME, which represents an essential partner group within our Morgan community,” said Morgan President David K. Wilson. “The agreement was negotiated in good faith, and we look forward to our continued good work with our colleagues represented by AFSCME in carrying out the great mission of Morgan State University.”

The ongoing negotiations between the University and AFSCME Local 1885 have been positive and constructive throughout the process, culminating with an agreement in December 2023 that required ratification at the Board’s next convening. The University and union representatives have been finalizing a new memorandum of understanding between the two since the previous agreement expired at the end of June 2023.

Under the new agreement approved by the Board of Regents, AFSCME union employees working at Morgan will receive salary increases, including adjustments to base pay based on years of service; bonuses; additional sick leave; safety enhancements; and additional training, among other rights and provisions.

“The Morgan State Board of Regents is pleased to have unanimously approved the collective bargaining agreement for the nearly 400 AFSCME members employed at Morgan,” said Kweisi Mfume, chairman of Morgan’s Board of Regents. “We congratulate and commend those University officials who worked so hard alongside AFSCME representatives who collaboratively bargained and negotiated in good faith. This is a sound agreement that, in partnership, charts a solid pathway to move forward on and build upon.”

Established under Title 14 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, the 15-member Morgan State University Board of Regents governs the actions of the University. The governor of Maryland appoints Board members for six-year terms, except for the student regent, who is appointed for a one-year term. The Board appoints the University president, who serves at the pleasure of the Board. The Board also sets admission standards; reviews and approves University policies and budgets; and establishes the regulatory framework within which the individual units operate. Action items for approval are advanced from the committees managed by the Board. These include the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Finance and Facilities Committee and the Audit and Institutional Assessment Committee.

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

# # #

Media Contacts:

Larry Jones or Dell Jackson, for University PR
443-885-3022