Kamanetz reaches agreement with employees union

TOWSON, Md. -    Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz announced that the County has reached a new labor agreement with the Federation of Public Employees (FPE), extending the current agreements through FY 15. The union represents about 1,600 County employees, including correctional workers, highway supervisors, 911 employees, and office workers.

    "I am very pleased that the County was once again able to reach an agreement with labor," said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.  "It is another indication that our labor groups understand that if we are going to be able to avoid furloughs and layoffs and provide a pension that will actually be there when workers retire we must have a wage and benefit structure that is fair for employees and sustainable for taxpayers."

   The contract guarantees that FPE employees will receive scheduled increment and longevity increases for the next three years and that no employees in the bargaining unit will be laid off or furloughed during that time period. 

    The County previously reached agreements with the Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 1311 and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #25 representing County sheriffs, and the Baltimore County Federation of Public Health Nurses (BCFPHN) representing Baltimore County nurses that extend through FY 14.

The only groups that have been unable to reach agreement on contract extensions with Baltimore County are the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #4 (FOP) and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).