Greenbelt public works employees seek charter change to allow collective bargaining

Public works employees and labor supporters told the Greenbelt City Council they want the city to change its charter and labor code so non‑managerial municipal workers can form a union and engage in collective bargaining.

The petition was read aloud by Michael Canavan, who identified himself as a 39‑year resident and a five‑and‑a‑half‑year city Public Works employee. "We only ask that the city's current authorities for collective bargaining for police be expanded to also include the city's public works employees," Canavan said while presenting a signed letter and the names of employees who support the move.

Why it matters: Council would have to change the city charter and municipal code to create a formal recognition process or other local mechanism for public‑sector bargaining, because municipal employment law…