Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Collective Bargaining topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Greenbelt council adopts labor-code changes to allow city employees to bargain collectively
Summary
The Greenbelt City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance amending the city labor code to formalize collective-bargaining procedures and align employee classifications with federal standards; councilmembers said next steps include bargaining and careful review of strike/lockout language.
The Greenbelt City Council adopted an ordinance amending Article 8 of the city labor code to establish formal procedures for collective bargaining and to better define bargaining-unit classifications.
Council member Pompey, who introduced the ordinance, said the code change was the result of extensive drafting and outreach. “I’m really proud of council for all the work that they put into this,” Pompey said, adding that the ordinance will allow city staff to bargain and negotiate “for a fair contract.”
City Council members discussed non-substantive edits proposed by the mayor pro tem to fix grammar and formatting before voting. Council member Fritz said she supported the policy but raised a concern about language related to strikes and lockouts, saying the council should “work with the city manager, city staff and all the stakeholders on the language regarding, strikes and lockouts.” Fritz added that protecting public safety while preserving workers’ rights will require further deliberation.
Public-works employees and residents spoke in favor of the change during public comment. Michael Canavan, who identified himself as both a Greenbelt resident and city employee, said the ordinance gives workers a formal mechanism to raise concerns: “We’re grateful to live in a city that leads by example and lives its values through actions rather than words,” he said.
The council completed a roll-call vote on the ordinance after public comment and formal discussion; the motion carried. Council members present registered affirmative responses during the roll call, and the ordinance moves the city to the bargaining stage, where employees or unions and city negotiators will begin talks under the new code.
Next steps: staff and council said they expect future work to refine specific implementing language — especially any restrictions tied to strikes or lockouts — and to support the bargaining process consistent with the adopted code.
