Committee hears divided testimony on HB 211 to extend collective bargaining to graduate assistants and postdocs

Delegate Linda Foley presented House Bill 211 to the Appropriations Committee, proposing to extend collective bargaining rights to graduate assistants and postdoctoral associates at the University System of Maryland (USM), Morgan State University and St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Foley said the measure would allow these academic workers to choose a union representative and bargain over working conditions; she emphasized that the bill does not by itself raise salaries or expand university budgets but instead enables employees to negotiate how existing funds are allocated. She asked the committee for a favorable report and introduced a panel of graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and union representatives who testified in support.

Supporters’ testimony: several witnesses told the committee graduate and postdoctoral workers perform essential university labor — teaching, grading, research and grant administration — and lack legally enforceable employment contracts. Isabella O’Malley said a union card…