By: Charles M. Kassir, Esquire
Governor Hogan vetoed the Collective Bargaining bill on May 28, 2021. See our previous articles for a summary of the bill. In a letter to Assembly leadership, Governor Hogan noted that “These pieces of legislation seek to address problems that do not exist and change labor practices that have worked for decades, while creating several burdensome fiscal and operational hardships.” According to Governor Hogan, “The extra expenses associated with collective bargaining will put a severe strain on counties and the budgets of community colleges, most likely leading to increased tuition costs at a time when affordable training and education opportunities are needed the most.”
When lawmakers convene their next legislative session — presumably January 2022 — they’ll consider whether to overturn the veto. A three-fifths majority in both Chambers is needed to override a veto. The vetoed bill passed the Democratic-majority General Assembly by a veto-proof margin.
If the veto is overridden the effective dates of the new law would be as outlined in the final version – September 1, 2022, September 1, 2023, and October 1, 2024 depending on the community college.
PK Law Labor and Employment Attorneys are closely monitoring the bill. Click HERE to contact a PK Law Labor and Employment Attorney or contact information@pklaw.com.
Charles Kassir is an Associate in the firm’s Labor and Employment Group. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 2019. While in law school, Charlie served as Executive Articles Editor of the Maryland Law Review and was a Member of the Moot Court Board. After graduating from law school, Charles clerked for the Honorable Joseph M. Getty of the Court of Appeals of Maryland. He can be reached at 410-740-3148 or ckassir@pklaw.com.
