UPDATE: Labor Unions Picketed the Montgomery County Democratic Party's Spring Ball // What Happened & What's Next

Over the last couple weeks, Maryland Juice has been writing about the heated conflict that emerged between some area labor unions and Democrats in Montgomery County. Labor leaders announced a picket of the MoCo Democratic Party's annual fundraiser last Saturday, causing elected officials from around Maryland to weigh in with varying opinions on the matter. So what happened at the protest?

Below Maryland Juice provides a range of photos, videos, and newspaper commentary describing and reacting to the conflict. My early read is that the final chapter in this story is not yet written, and politicos can expect to see this conflict continuing into the future. Details below:

JUICE #1: CONGRESSMAN CHRIS VAN HOLLEN SPEAKS AT MCDCC BALL //  WHO ELSE ATTENDED? - Maryland Juice has heard various accounts of notable attendees at last Saturday's MCDCC Spring Ball. Several guests have confirmed attendance from the following noteworthy area politicos:

Rep. Chris Van Hollen Speaks at MCDCC Ball

• Congressman Chris Van Hollen*
• County Executive Ike Leggett
• County Councilmembers Phil Andrews, Roger Berliner, George Leventhal, Nancy Navarro, Craig Rice & Hans Riemer*
• State Senators Rich Madaleno and Jamie Raskin*
• Delegates Kathleen Dumais, Ana Sol Gutierrez, Anne Kaiser and Aruna Miller
• Former MoCo teachers union political director Jon Gerson*

* NOTES: Congressman Van Hollen was at the ball to honor former Congressman Mike Barnes. State Senator Jamie Raskin dropped by late to the event to drop off a citation honoring a gun control advocate. Likewise, Gutierrez, Navarro and Rice were all presenting awards to Democratic activists.

Councilmember Marc Elrich posted a lengthy comment on Facebook explaining why he decided not to attend the MCDCC Ball. Councilmember Valerie Ervin was out of town for her son's graduation. Councilmember Nancy Floreen was out of town visiting family.

Many people noted the presence of MCEA's former political director Jon Gerson, but he was attending in his role as an MCDCC precinct official. This shows readers just one of the many complex personal ties involved in the labor dispute. Another example is that MCGEO union chief Gino Renne, who helped lead the protest, was previously scheduled to present an MCDCC award to a Democratic activist and personal friend. Obviously that didn't end up happening.


JUICE #2: MOCO DEMS LOSE UP TO $15,000  //  FOP SAYS THINGS WOULDN'T BE WORSE WITH REPUBLICANS ON THE COUNTY COUNCIL -The Gazette's Doug Tallman provided some basic facts about the financial consequences of the labor protest, and his article included some commentary from both Democratic officials and union leaders (excerpt below):

GAZETTE: About 200 union members protested outside a Montgomery County Democratic Party fundraiser Saturday, asserting the party had strayed from progressive positions. The action skimmed off about 15 percent of its normal attendance....

“They’re losing a lot of friends in the Democratic Party who would want to be there for them for the next one and now they’re not so sure,” said Councilman Hans Riemer (D-At large) of Takoma Park.

“I think it’s creating a schism within the Democratic Party against labor,” said Councilman Roger Berliner (D-Dist. 1) of Bethesda....

Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Chairman Gabe Albornoz said about 340 people attended the fundraiser.... he said the event raised about $45,000; he had expected $10,000 to $15,000 more....

“We wouldn’t be doing any worse with a couple of Republicans on the council, the way we’ve been treated the last four years. How could we do any worse?” former FOP president Marc Zifcak said....

County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) said he believed some of the unions’ grievances were legitimate....

JUICE #3: AFL-CIO PRESIDENT SAYS "NO EXCUSE ... 2014 STARTS TODAY" - The day after the labor protest at the MCDCC Spring Ball, the AFL-CIO Metro Council sent the following message to their email list subscribers (excerpt below):

AFL-CIO: Do Real Democrats Cross Picket Lines? Heavy rain couldn’t stop the festive mood Saturday evening as labor activists from all over the DC metro area picketed the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) Spring Ball. Started in response to the MCDCC’s position last year in favor of the Question B referendum (MCDCC Ball Boycott/Picket Focus is Solidarity UC 5/10/2013) the protest brought together activists from UFCW 1994 MCGEO and Local 400, IAFF 1664, ATU 689, OPEIU 2, Progressive Maryland, and many more. Picketers held umbrellas over home-made signs, ringing bells and blowing whistles as they cheerfully chanted “Do Real Democrats Cross Picket Lines? NO!” The Montgomery County Young Democrats (MCYD) were at the center of the picket, proudly wearing their MCYD t-shirts as they boycotted the Ball.

“The future of the democratic movement is out here, not in there,” said Metro Council President Jos Williams, as activists gathered at the corner. Williams introduced MCYD President Dave Kunes, who passed up receiving the “Democrat of the Year” award at the Ball to boycott the event with many other MCYD members. “This isn’t about a single issue,” said Kunes to a cheering crowd. “You all out here – you are my party!” Music blasted from a band made up of AFM 161-710 members as Williams saluted the politicians who joined the picket. At press time, two politicians – County Executive candidate Phil Andrews and County Councilmember Hans Riemer – were seen having crossed the picket. “There’s no excuse for politicians going in there” said Williams. “We are sending a message. It will not be business as usual… 2014 starts today.”

JUICE #4: SOMERSET MAYOR JEFFREY SLAVIN BOYCOTTS MOCO YOUNG DEMS EVENTS UNTIL NEW LEADERSHIP IN PLACE - In the days after the labor protest of Montgomery County Democrats, the MoCo Young Dems (who backed the picket line) sent out an email announcement for their next membership meeting. Their invitation was met with a stinging rebuke from Somerset Mayor Jeffrey Slavin, who was one of the Democratic activists receiving an award at the MCDCC Ball:

JEFFREY SLAVIN: Dear President Kunes,

Please remove me from your list.

I am shocked and appalled that you joined the protest on Saturday night.  You are supposed to be Democrats first!  And your reasons for supporting the so-called  "strike" make no sense.  There are lots of young people in office in Montgomery County and no one is stopping any of you from running.  The Central Committee does not make endorsements anyway and your group looked foolish.

I will not plan to attend any of your events until you have new leadership in place.

Thanks for considering my views. I have been speaking to many Democrats in the past few days and I can tell you that many others feel the same way.

Jeffrey Slavin
Mayor/Town of Somerset
2013 MCDCC Morgan-Jerney Community Service Awardee

cc: Maryland Juice

Interestingly, Center Maryland columnist Josh Kurtz had a different take on Young Dems President Dave Kunes (excerpt below):

JOSH KURTZ (VIA CENTER MARYLAND): When I’ve been asked over the past several days what I think of the decision by Montgomery County public employee unions to picket the county Democratic Party’s annual spring ball the other night, all I can say is, “A plague on all their houses.”

In a way you have to admire the unions’ chutzpah, and their success in disrupting the spring ball, which nevertheless was about three-quarters full....

On the other hand, the self-righteous indignation of some of the Democratic stalwarts who decided to make a show of crossing the picket line was also a little stomach turning – along with their warnings that the sky was falling due to the labor-county party schism....

Perhaps the most unfortunate consequence of the brouhaha was that Dave Kunes did not get his moment in the sun. Kunes, the president of the Montgomery County Young Democrats, was supposed to be presented with the “Democrat of the Year” award at the dinner. But he did not hesitate to pull the Young Dems’ sponsorship of the spring ball when the unions cranked up their protest....

Kunes, who works as an aide to Del. Tom Hucker (D) during legislative sessions in Annapolis, doesn’t rule out a political career someday. But in his mind, there are more important battles to fight....

JUICE #5: SEN. MANNO, DEL. HUCKER & DEL. ROBINSON GET SHOUT-OUTS AT PICKET LINE // PLUS: PHOTOS & VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE PROTEST - A participant in the labor picket at the MCDCC Ball reports that State Senators Roger Manno and Delegates Tom Hucker & Shane Robinson were recognized as supporters during the labor protest. Below we also provide photos and video footage from the event that we found on social networking sites. MoCo Young Dem Travis Ballie posted the following comment and video footage of the picket on Facebook: "I am SO PROUD of Montgomery County Young Democrats President Dave Kunes for his principled stand today WITH Labor in MoCo. I've never been prouder to call myself a Young Democrat!"
 

 
Progressive Maryland (a picket supporter) also posted a photo album from the event. We sample a couple images below:

WHAT NEXT? - This conflict is creating a very interesting backdrop to the looming 2014 Democratic Primary cycle. Maryland Juice will be reporting on how this all plays out very soon, and we are already hearing numerous theories about what might happen next. My personal hope going forward is that all parties involved will prioritize advancing justice as they plot their next moves. Hopefully we are all Democrats and labor supporters because we believe these entities are institutions that can help us advance social and economic justice. Let's keep our eyes on the prize, folks!

Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner Releases Letter He Sent to MoCo Democratic Party Chair Gabe Albernoz

Maryland Juice received the following letter from Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner to Gabe Albernoz, Chair of the MCDCC. The topic is obviously tonight's planned labor protest of the Spring Ball:

ROGER BERLINER: Dear Gabe,

I am writing to reaffirm my commitment to tonight’s Democratic Spring Ball and to our Democratic Party  that has worked tirelessly for the core values that unite us. I look forward to attending tonight’s event as I always do and to honoring the women and men who are receiving well-earned awards this evening.  The Party  - its individual members, its precint chairs and the Central Committee – has steadfastly supported the County Council by voting to support Question B, and I would never consider for a moment not supporting the Party in return.

Unfortunately, there are some who apparently think there is no room for disagreement within our party and out of blind ideology or fear of retribution, are choosing to boycott tonight’s event and punish our party in the process.  I find this to be troubling to say the least.  One of the things that makes Montgomery County so special is that we are one of the most well-educated communities in the country.  We are a thinking, discerning community and wherever that is true, you will find thoughtful disagreement even amongst the most ideologically aligned individuals.  And that is something we should embrace, not shun or punish.

The moment we become the party of  blind obedience – to any one constituency or stakeholder group – is the day we lose our integrity as a party.  As in most things in life, good, thoughtful people can disagree.  But at the end of the day, our precinct officials overwhelmingly supported the legislative actions of a unanimous Council and the electorate weighed in similarly.  Let us move on.

Our country and our community have many challenges ahead, and it is important that we move forward with respectful, open dialogue, acknowledging that we will not always agree on every issue.  Let us come together tonight to celebrate our party and our common values and put divisiveness aside.

Roger Berliner
Montgomery County Council
District 1

MORE ON THE LABOR PROTEST OF THE MCDCC BALL SOON!

Montgomery County Exec Ike Leggett, MCDCC & Somerset Mayor Jeffrey Slavin Respond to Tonight's Labor Protest of MoCo Dems

Below Maryland Juice prints a press release we received a couple days ago from the MCDCC regarding tonight's protest of their Spring Ball. They note that County Executive Ike Leggett is supporting the Democratic Party. We also received comment from Somerset Mayor Jeffrey Slavin, who is being honored at tonight's MCDCC Ball:

JUICE #1: MOCO DEMOCRATS RESPOND TO LABOR PROTEST, ANNOUNCED LEGGETT SUPPORT -

MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE: County Executive and Local Leaders Support the Democratic Ball, Fundraiser Will Continue as Planned This Saturday, May 11

Kensington, MD – The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) is disappointed by the decision of some in Labor Unions to boycott and picket the 2013 Spring Ball. The MCDCC has been and remain strong believers and supporters of organized labor. The Party stands behind the working men and women in this County.

The MCDCC has made numerous attempts to reach out to Labor leaders to meet formally to discuss this matter. To date, Labor has not reciprocated a call for a meeting. “There is deep concern that this divisive action will make it more difficult to fight for issues important to both organized Labor and the Democratic Party.” Party Chair, Gabe Albornoz stated, “Historical data acknowledges that the strongest outcomes are produced when we work together.”

Many local elected officials continue to stand with the party, including: Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, members of the Montgomery County Council, members of the Democratic State Delegation, Federal Elected Officials, as well as numerous Democratic Clubs and Caucus have all pledged their support for the 2013 Spring Ball.

The Party and its strength are built from the grassroots volunteers and precinct organization. Last fall, the precinct organization overwhelmingly voted 109 to 14 in favor of Question B. The Committee affirmed this position, and made it the official stance of the Party during the November 2012 election.

The Central Committee, as the governing body of the local Democratic Party, works to educate voters, staff the polls on Election Day and get Democrats elected, including mailing a sample ballot to every registered Democrat in the County. The Spring Ball serves at the Party’s main fundraising event, without which the work of the Party may be dramatically impacted.

JUICE #2: SOMERSET MAYOR JEFFREY SLAVIN RESPONDS TO TONIGHT'S LABOR PROTEST OF THE MCDCC BALL -

JEFFREY SLAVIN: Dear Maryland Juice,

As a lifelong Democrat and active philanthropist, I have spent my entire career working for families in need in our great County.  Many of these families are part of proud union households throughout Montgomery. Many of these are immigrants, and many of these are black, brown and yellow.

Tonight, as a result of my involvement,  I will be receiving the prestigious Morgan-Jerney Community Service Award.  I will, with great sorrow, cross the so-called "picket line"  (which I do not believe was voted on by the rank of file and is not a strike or work stoppage), so that I can accept this award and dedicate it to the thousands of workers here who have been left behind by Republican Tea Party inspired policies like the sequester.

It seems that me that the protest activity that is being proposed  is more of a power play by some elite leaders and that we will be losing sight of our common Democratic and Union goals to provide a better quality of life for the working families in Montgomery County.  That makes me sad.  United We Stand, Divided We Fall.

MORE ON THE LABOR PROTEST OF THE MCDCC BALL SOON!

GUEST POST: Councilmember Phil Andrews on Union Protest of MoCo Democrats // PLUS: George Leventhal & Others Weigh In

Tonight is the Montgomery County Democratic Party's annual spring fundraiser, the source of a planned picket line from various labor unions in the area. Below Maryland Juice provides a final round of commentary on the controversy from various MoCo and Maryland politicos:

JUICE #1: GUEST POST FROM COUNCILMEMBER PHIL ANDREWS - Statement by Montgomery County Councilmember Phil Andrews on the boycott of the Democratic Spring Ball led by the Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO

PHIL ANDREWS: It's no surprise that the Fraternal Order of Police is unhappy with the County Council (unanimous vote in favor), the County Executive, the County's Democratic Party (precinct officials voted 109-14 in favor), and the voters of Montgomery County (58 percent voted in favor, a margin of more than 60,000 votes). All supported eliminating the requirement in law that the Chief of Montgomery County Police bargain the effects of the exercise of all management decisions with the Fraternal Order of Police. No other County union has "effects bargaining" in law and the County Council was wise not to extend effects bargaining beyond its initial mistake in the 1980s of including it in the police collective bargaining law. As the chair of the Council's Public Safety Committee since 2000, my experience is that the effects bargaining provision prevented our County's police department from implementing policies in a timely manner to better protect both the public and police officers. The FOP disagrees and that is their right.

What is notable about the statements of those Democratic elected officials who say they will boycott the Montgomery County Democratic Spring Ball on May 11, as called for by the Washington Metropolitan AFL-CIO, is that none of the elected officials even attempt to defend the effects bargaining requirement that the County Council and the voters eliminated. Their statements essentially say, "If organized labor is against it, the Democratic Party should not be for it." That's what this boycott is about. Veto power. The public will be disturbed that so many elected public officials who are Democrats appear willing to cede the Democratic Party's independence to organized labor.

It's easy to understand why unions want a veto over public policy positions of the Democratic Party, but for elected officials, central committee members, and precinct officials to do so would be an abdication of responsibility to the people we represent -- the public. Public officials should support the positions of unions when they further the public interest (such as living wages which I led the battle for on the County Council, health care coverage, and workplace safety), and oppose the positions of unions when they conflict with the public interest (such as effects bargaining). If adhering to this approach costs the Democratic Party money from unions, that's the price of doing the right thing for the people we represent.

JUICE #2: COUNCILMEMBER GEORGE LEVENTHAL'S EMAIL BLAST ON THE MCDCC PROTEST - George Leventhal sent the following message to his email subscribers regarding the planned labor protest:

GEORGE LEVENTHAL: Dear Friends, I will be attending the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee’s (MCDCC) Spring Ball on Saturday, May 11. Several unions and some elected officials have announced they will boycott this event. I was MCDCC chairman from 1996 to 2001, and I know how hard the staff and precinct volunteers work to ensure a strong Democratic presence in Montgomery County. I have attended this event every year for 26 years, and I will not be swayed by the protest demonstration.

While I will attend the ball because my relationship with the county Democratic Party is a key part of my history, we should not dismiss out of the hand the protestors’ concerns as petulant. It is the job of leaders to listen to all sides, and try to bring people together.

Union members are understandably frustrated by an unprecedented fusillade of decisions that weakened their economic position and affected their family incomes. While some of these decisions were necessary in the midst of a deep recession, others may have appeared like political opportunism, egged on by The Washington Post editorial page. In 2010 and 2011, County Executive Leggett and the County Council restructured arbitration rules, revised disability benefits, abrogated contracts, increased health insurance and retirement premiums, repealed effects bargaining and some councilmembers even tried to prevent firefighters from raising money for muscular dystrophy research. In 2012, the council hired an attorney at public expense to purge the effects bargaining referendum from the ballot and County Executive Leggett used public funds to campaign against the referendum. To the unions, this barrage of anti-union legislation appeared like an overreach. While some political blowback should be expected, the unions are overreaching in response. They have the right to mount a protest but no right to decide for others who may attend the event.

Presidential historian Richard Neustadt relays an important story about the 1952 transition between Presidents Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower: "He'll sit here," Truman remarked (tapping his desk for emphasis), "and he'll say, 'Do this! Do that!' And nothing will happen. Poor Ike-it won't be a bit like the Army. He'll find it very frustrating."

An executive can issue orders, but can only achieve his or her goals by inspiring his or her workforce and earning its loyalty, and our county has an excellent workforce. These are the bus drivers, social workers, police officers and firefighters upon whose service we rely, and whose wages have stagnated. Over the last three years, these people gave up on average about $30,000 through pay freezes, larger contributions to health and retirement plans, and furloughs. The County also eliminated more than 10 percent of the workforce. These sacrifices saved $469 million over those four years, and they continue to save the County $154 million annually.

That’s why I thought it was reasonable to vote for new contracts for county employees that do not amount to double-digit increases in a single year, as has been misconstrued. After four years without raises, the contracts call for a 3.25% cost-of-living adjustment, step increases of 3.5% for eligible employees, and small retroactive step increases for police officers and career fire fighters. The total cost in 2014 is $32 million, still a $122 million savings to the county in that year alone.

The county makes budget decisions year by year. If economic circumstances worsen, when we examine the 2015 budget, we can make adjustments. I don’t feel that a social worker making $53,000 is undeserving of a raise amounting to $75 a week, or that a police officer doesn’t earn his or her $3,600 increase. These are the people who dutifully serve the residents of this county.

Labor and its allies are not only protesting anti-union decisions. Union leaders have told me that the protest is also against an unwarranted tax giveaway approved by the state legislature for Lockheed Martin and special expedited rezoning to allow a Walmart in Aspen Hill. Young Democrats are protesting longtime officeholders who treat their seats as an entitlement. They are unhappy about a sense that the party that they know and love is drifting from its principles. The elected officials who make these decisions do so in good conscience, pursuing their own vision of the public interest. But these same elected officials are accountable to the people who campaigned and voted for them, and the political blowback is not surprising.

With time, cooler heads will prevail. In the meantime, let’s all respect each other’s point of view, not draw lines in the sand over whether or not to attend a social event on Saturday night.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance to you in any way.

Cordially,
George

JUICE #3: MARYLAND YOUNG DEMOCRATS PRESIDENT JOINS LABOR PROTEST -  The MoCo & Prince George's Young Dems previously announced support of the labor protest tonight, and now the statewide Young Democrats are weighing in with the following press release:

YOUNG DEMOCRATS OF MARYLAND: YDM President to join MoCo Picket Line Tomorrow - One of my most vivid memories as a kid was waking up early some mornings to join my dad on his bus route. He was a school bus driver and on the days childcare fell through, I was with him on the bus…big Joe and Little Joe. Those days helped developed my passion for education even before I was in school myself. Those mornings also helped introduce me to the labor movement. It was because of his union contract that my parents knew if babysitting didn’t work out I could ride the bus with dad. It was because of his contract my family had good health benefits. It was because of his contract that college was always within reach for me if I did my part. Labor has been a key foundation of my family and my life personally. It fundamentally is why I am a Democrat.

This weekend I hoped to join my friends and fellow young democrats to honor the President of the Montgomery County Young Democrats, Dave Kunes for all his hard work at the MCCDCC Spring Ball. He has done an outstanding job not only with MCYD but the entire Montgomery County Young Democrats. However news that the AFL-CIO has established a picket line of the event makes that impossible. The first lesson I learned from labor is to never cross a picket line, and it is a lesson I’ll honor this weekend.

The Democratic Party is a big tent but one of the strongest pillars holding that tent up is the labor movement and an unyielding belief in the right to collectively bargain. So instead of dressing up in a nice suit and going to a dinner party, I’ll have my marching shoes on standing with the men and women who help keep our community moving forward.

-Rev. Joseph Lynn Kitchen Jr.
President - Young Democrats of Maryland

JUICE #4: MORE ELECTED DEMOCRATS JOIN LABOR PROTEST OF MCDCC -  The latest AFL-CIO Metro Council newsletter highlights additional elected Democrats who are joining the labor protest of the MCDCC:

AFL-CIO: Local 1994's Renne reports that the local has lined up live music, food and refreshments for the 5:30p picket, which continues to generate support, with UFCW Local 400 on board, as well as Maryland delegates Kumar Barve, Bonnie Cullison, Sheila Hixson, Shane Robinson, Luiz Simmons and Craig Zucker joining the boycott yesterday.

JUICE #5: DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT OFFICIAL COMMENTS ON MCDCC PROTEST -Emily Koechlin, a Democratic Precinct Official in Montgomery County has provided Maryland Juice with the following letter she sent to some of her friends who are leading the protest of the MCDCC Ball:

EMILY KOECHLIN: This situation has me very, very, distressed.

I have served as a precinct official with the Montgomery County Democrats for over ten years. I am one of the precinct officials who voted to recommend a YES vote on Question B in last November’s election. 109 out of 123 of us precinct officials present at the ballot initiatives meeting voted to endorse a YES on Question B.

I strongly support Labor.  I am very concerned that collective bargaining has been weakened in so many ways throughout the US. However, at the precinct meeting last fall where we precinct officials voted for our positions on ballot initiatives, no proponents of the Police Union position demonstrated that supporting Question B would weaken Organized Labor. I did not walk into that meeting planning to vote against Labor’s position. However, once I heard the arguments pro and con, I voted in support of Question B because I felt I could not do otherwise. Montgomery County Police Chief Manger, as well as other police officials who testified, presented us with very strong, reasonable, arguments in favor of their position. Officials speaking for Labor provided us with pretty much no reason at all to support theirs.

109 out of 123 of us voted to endorse a YES on Question B. 109 out of 123 is 89%. Do you really think that 89% of your Democratic Party grassroots activists are anti-labor and that 89% of us want to “gut collective bargaining?”

Perhaps there were some very good reasons to vote NO on Question B. I would have loved to have heard them.  However, no one testifying against the ballot initiative presented any such arguments. I would have been delighted to have voted to support Labor. However, I am not willing to show blind loyalty to anyone, even family or close friends.

I wish so much that those who are planning to carry anti-MCDCC signs and join the picket line Saturday night had been present to see what really happened at that meeting. In my opinion this action drives a wedge between organizations that all support the hardworking people in our County, our State and our Country. I want to keep unions strong (or make them strong again) in Maryland and in the US, but I think that this approach will not help in this effort, but rather turn people against unions.

Emily Koechlin
Takoma Park

MORE ON THE LABOR PROTEST OF THE MCDCC BALL SOON!

GUEST POST: Councilmember Craig Rice "Why I'm Going to the MCDCC Spring Ball" // PLUS: Former Pol Gail Ewing Comments

The planned labor protest of this Saturday's MCDCC Spring Ball is continuing to roil politics in Montgomery County. After all, the event is the party's biggest fundraiser of the year. Below Maryland Juice publishes a guest post from Democratic Councilmember Craig Rice and former Councilmember Gail Ewing.

JUICE #1: MOCO COUNCILMEMBER CRAIG RICE - "Why I am going to the MCDCC Spring Ball"

CRAIG RICE: What is missing in this debate about the MCDCC Spring Ball are the awardees.  I am presenting the Rosalie Reilly Lifetime Service Award to Tina Clarke.  You will not find a Democratic candidate in this County that Christine ”Tina” Clarke has not worked for.  Over the past years, she has volunteered her time, her car, her family, her friends and her work colleagues to help Democratic candidates.  Tina’s kitchen in Poolesville is known as “Election Central”.  She is famous for bringing candidates to Black churches and for generating volunteers and support from these congregations for the candidates.

In addition, there is not one non-profit, school or civil rights organization in the County that Tina has not helped.  Tina has provided enormous assistance to children in need and parents from challenged communities.  She has never asked for credit, she just works behind the scenes to help.

Her and her family are stalwarts in the historic Black community of Poolesville and in Montgomery County as a whole.  There is nothing that would stand in the way of me honoring her and her commitment to our community.

My wife and I will be there to honor her and the other community volunteer awardees that have fought hard for years to enact and foster Democratic principles in our County.

It is my hope that all parties will join me in honoring those that have given of themselves to help us all have a better way of life here in Montgomery County.

JUICE #2: FORMER MOCO COUNCILMEMBER GAIL EWING - A reader posted the following letter in the comments section of a post earlier today:

GAIL EWING: Dear Montgomery County Democratic Elected Officials,

I am ashamed of our elected officials who are participating the the boycott of the Spring Ball on Saturday. This Labor action is despicable -- intended to bring the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee and Party to it's knees.

By supporting this boycott our elected officials are saying and affirming that our Democratic Party is just a front for Organized Labor. Whatever Labor wants -- Labor gets.... and when they don't, the Party will pay -- dearly -- and we, as elected officials, think that is okay and support Labor's actions by joining in the boycott.

Organized Labor is a major part of the Democratic Party but just one of many partners and the thousands of supporters who make up the heart and hard work of the Montgomery County Democratic Party.

Our Central Committee is an elected body chosen by Montgomery County Democrats. They didn't do what Organized Labor wanted them to do on this one issue. After all the 30+ years of doing just about everything Organized Labor asked them to do.

Is Organized Labor afraid of the Central Committee's power?

How else to explain the insanity of turning their backs on the award winners who will receive recognition Saturday night for their hard work and dedication to the Democratic Party.

How else to explain failing to contribute to the Party's major fundraiser of the year.

How else to explain the ridicule, humiliation and embarrassment to the Party caused by this boycott -- for all to see.

Organized Labor has made their point and the only salvation in this situation is to call-off their boycott. If they do not, I, for one, will proudly cross their picket line on Saturday and support the Montgomery County Democratic Party that has been there for all of us and will continue to be there with us in spite of this action by Organized Labor.

I urge all our elected officials join me and be there Saturday night.

Gail Ewing
Former Montgomery County Councilmember

MORE ON THE LABOR PROTEST OF THE MCDCC BALL SOON!

LEAKED EMAIL: Del. Kathleen Dumais Explains Impact of Labor Protest on MoCo Democrats // Shuttered Office & Layoffs?

UPDATE: Senator Roger Manno released the following response to Del. Dumais' letter on his website today:

ROGER MANNO: In reading the following letter regarding the Montgomery County Labor Boycott, I think this discussion needs some context.

Regardless of whether you support collective bargaining or Question B, the issue is: Whether a major financial contributor (organized labor) to the Party should reasonably expect that its financial resources would not be used by the Party, in a county-wide mailing to all members of the Party, in order to reduce the rights of that contributor's members. 

A Maryland Juice source leaked to us the following email from Delegate Kathleen Dumais (a MoCo Democrat) to some of her colleagues in the Assembly. Her message highlights the potential consequences of the labor protest of this weekend's Democratic Party ball:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kathleen M. Dumais <XXXXX>
Date: Thu, May 9, 2013 at 10:33 AM
Subject: MCDCC Spring Ball: Consequences of the Boycott/Picket by the FOP, AFL-CIO, and Others
To: "Kathleen M. Dumais" <XXXXX>

Dear Colleagues:

Clearly, we've all received communications from the AFL-CIO, Progressive Maryland and others asking that we "boycott/picket" the Spring Ball on Saturday because the MCDCC supported Question B on the Ballot in the general election last year.   This is very unfortunate and we will all feel the consequences in 2014 when we look to the MCDCC during the election for assistance, as will all of the new, fresh candidates yet to be identified - and who labor and some of the groups supporting the boycott/picket will be promoting.

First, as we all know and regardless of our individual positions on Question B, the Central Committee did not support Question B in a vacuum.  Just as each of the labor organizations have a process for vetting issues, so does the Montgomery County Democratic Party.  All of the Ballot Questions were submitted to a Ballot Questions Advisory Committee (BQAC) which reviewed each of the questions and prepared a report.  On September 19, 2012 the Precinct Organization met to adopt a position on each question.  Presentations by proponents and opponents were made on each question after a member of the BQAC discussed the committee's position.  The Precinct Organization then voted on each question and the vote on Question B was 109 in favor and 14 against.   Exactly what does labor believe the members of the Central Committee should have done after the vote?  Ignore the vote of the Precinct Organization and not put the result on the sample ballot just because it was against a "labor" issue?  Remember, the police union petitioned the question to the ballot.  Would labor leadership have the authority to ignore the vote of their membership if they disagreed with it?  I doubt it.

So, where are we now and what are the consequences?    Be prepared to contribute heavily to the MCDCC sample ballot for the November general election.  I just learned that as of today, MCDCC is in the hole financially for the event on Saturday night with the low number of reservations, cancellations and the fact that with low turnout the silent auction will probably be a complete bust.  Further, at this point, the MCDCC leaders believe that at a minimum they will have to cut staff and stop mailing newsletters.  They also may have to close the office in Kensington based on the amount they anticipate losing on the event.    Certainly doesn't bode well for what the MCDCC will be able to accomplish for Montgomery County democratic candidates 2014  -- incumbents and new candidates.   Just FYI -- in 2006, my contribution to the sample ballot was $750; in 2010 my contribution was $830.  I suggest we each budget much more than that for 2014.   Assuming the purpose of the boycott/picket was to cripple the Montgomery County Democratic Party - mission accomplished.

But, I certainly cannot say job well done because this is a clear case of cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.  Lord knows I do not always agree with the MCDCC but, during the general elections their assistance is invaluable and the sample ballot - particularly for first time candidates is, as they say "priceless."   However, by killing the primary fundraiser for the party, the sample ballot for 2014 probably won't be priceless.

Let's be honest, not one Montgomery County elected official, precinct official or member of the Democratic Central Committee is anti-labor.  Whatever our individual positions may have been on Question B, boycotting/picketing the MCDCC Spring Ball is certainly not an effective remedy given that the MCDCC has absolutely no authority to change the law!   Although this is obvious, MCDCC is NOT an employer or a party to any contract involved with the bargaining rights that are the subject of Question B and the event on Saturday night is simply a Democratic Party fundraiser.    Therefore, calling whatever the action is that takes place on Saturday a "picket" line is absolutely outrageous.   This is NOT a picket line.  This is NOT striking workers protesting a grievance against an employer for unsafe work conditions or poor wages or loss of collective bargaining rights!

Apparently labor and other organizations were and are unhappy that in a transparent, democratic process they lost the vote on Question B at the MCDCC, and ultimately in the general election.   I am the first one to acknowledge that the MCDCC Ballot Committee/Precinct Official meeting where the Ballot Question votes were taken was one of the most absurd, poorly run meetings I've ever witnessed - but there was an opportunity for both sides to make a presentation and then there was a VOTE.

I have never seen anything like this.   But, I am going to the Spring Ball.  The democratic volunteers that worked hard to put this event together and that work on all of our campaigns do not deserve to be treated this way - particularly when this boycott/picket is just plain wrong.  It was a ballot question!  It was voted on by the precinct organization like ALL of the other ballot questions.

When we are asked next Fall to kick in hefty sums for the sample ballot, we should all remember why the price tag is higher for the 2014 election.  If no one answers the phone at the Montgomery County Democratic Party office in the near future - we should also remember why.

Legislatively, I vote with labor and will continue to do so.  But I disagree with the proposed boycott/picket because I do not think it is properly directed.  There were and are ways to make the point that labor issues are important - and the best way to do that would be for labor to attend the Spring Ball and communicate with the Democratic Party volunteers and Precinct Officials!  Again, the consequences of this action may actually hurt candidates that I believe the organizations promoting the boycott/picket support - whether incumbents or new, fresh faces in 2014.  (And, yes, I understand - I may not be one of the ones supported!)

Just my thoughts.

Best regards.

P.S.  In case you haven't seen it - below is a copy of the Post Editorial on this topic from this morning.

Kathleen M. Dumais

UPDATE: Doug Gansler & Doug Duncan Join Labor Picket of MoCo Democrats // PLUS: Washington Post Slams Protesters

Below Maryland Juice provides a few more updates on the planned labor protest at this Saturday's Montgomery County Democratic spring ball:

JUICE #1: DOUG GANSLER, DOUG DUNCAN & MORE DEMOCRATS JOIN LABOR PROTEST - This morning the AFL-CIO Metro Council emailed a newsletter with an update on which politicians are participating in the labor protest of the MCDCC ball. Notable new participants are Attorney General Doug Gansler and former County Executive Doug Duncan:

AFL-CIO: Political Support Building for MCDCC Spring Ball Boycott/Picket: All four Democrats reportedly seeking the Maryland Governor's office in 2014 are now supporting the Metro Washington Council’s boycott/picket of Saturday’s MCDCC Spring Ball. Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman have joined Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and Maryland Delegate Heather Mizeur on the growing list of political leaders boycotting the Ball. The boycott and picket have been organized to protest the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee’s support last year for the Question B referendum, which took away the police union’s right to bargain the effects of management decisions. “Real Democrats walk picket lines,” said Metro Council President Jos Williams. “We’re very heartened by the leadership shown by those who are supporting us and their messages of solidarity.” Also on board are FOP Lodge 35, UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, IAFF Local 1664, CWA Local 2108, the Montgomery County Young Democrats, Prince Georges County Young Democrats, Progressive Maryland, Fund Our Communities, retired Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan, who join U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Maryland senators Brian Frosh, Rob Garagiola, Roger Manno, Karen Montgomery and Jamie Raskin, and Maryland delegates Charles Barkley, Aisha Braveboy, Bill Frick, Tom Hucker, Ben Kramer and Eric Luedtke. The picket starts at 5:30p on Saturday in Rockville.

JUICE 2: WASHINGTON POST RELEASES EDITORIAL SLAMMING LABOR PROTEST OF MOCO DEMOCRATIC BALL - The planned labor protest of the MCDCC spring ball has attracted the interest of the Washington Post editorial board. Last night they released the following editorial slamming the picket line (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: Some Democrats say they will not cross a picket line “on principle.” But exactly what is the principle they’re upholding? An absurd rule, unmatched in other police departments, that was rejected by 60 percent of Montgomery voters? In this case, the “principle” at stake looks more like political cowardice....

It is particularly troubling in the case of Mr. Brown. If he can’t stand up to bullying by arrogant special interests — even to attend a fundraiser by his own party — what kind of spine can Marylanders expect from him as chief executive?

JUICE #3: PRINCE GEORGE'S YOUNG DEMOCRATS ISSUE STATEMENT ANNOUNCING SUPPORT OF LABOR PROTEST AT MCDCC BALL - The Prince George's Young Democrats released the following feisty statement indicating support for the labor protest of the MCDCC ball:

YOUNG DEMOCRATS PICKET ANNUAL SPRING BALL
Prince George’s County and Montgomery County Young Democrats stand against Montgomery County Democrat Central Committee’s decision on 2012 Question B referendum

Prince George's County, MD (May 8, 2013)- Prince George’s County Young Democrats (PGCYD) collaborate with Montgomery County Young Democrats (MCYD) in an acclaimed support to picket and boycott the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee’s  (MCDCC) Spring Ball held on Saturday, May 11th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.

Their decision to picket and boycott has come after MCDCC voted in favor of the 2012 Question B referendum, which discards police union’s right to bargain the effects of management decisions. Furthermore, this political uproar caused County residents to question MCDCC’s integrity. “MCDCC has gone against our Democratic principles and have shown they are no better than Republicans in Wisconsin when it comes to economic policy,” said Larry Stafford, President of PGCYD.

With statewide officials set to cancel their attendance and donors to seek refunds, the picket and boycott could bankrupt the Montgomery County Democratic Party.

For more information on this boycott, please contact Larry Stafford, President of PGCYD at 202-907-9597 or via e-mail at Lstaffordjr@gmail.com.

About Prince George’s County Young Democrats

The Prince George's County Young Democrats is an organization devoted to inspiring the young residents of its county to increase political engagement through voter registration, education, and commitment in engaging young residents to take a stance on the local issues and to participate in political campaigns; local or national. For more information on PGCYD visit www.PGCYD.com or contact Maurielle Stewart, Vice President of
Communications at Mhstewart17@gmail.com.

About Montgomery County Young Democrats

The Montgomery County Young Democrats is an organization committed to engaging and developing young residents into future leaders through political action to working for sustainable just communities. For more information on MCYD visit www.MCYD.org or contact Nik Sushka, Director of Communications at Nik.sushka@mcyd.org.

About Question B Referendum

In 2012, Montgomery County Democrat Central Committee voted for Question B Referendum, which includes the distribution of significant police equipment and the revision of “Use of Force” policy. Many residents found the bill to actually hinder the Police Department's mission to protect officers, county residents and property. For More information on Question B Referendum, visit Support MOCO Police Officers.

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MORE ON THE LABOR PROTEST OF THE MCDCC BALL SOON!

UPDATE: Ken Ulman, Heather Mizeur, Aisha Braveboy and Other Candidates Join Labor Protest of MoCo Democratic Ball

Below Maryland Juice provides a round of updates on which Democratic officials and organizations are supporting a planned protest of this Saturday's MoCo Democratic Party fundraising ball. It appears that statewide officials and a handful of MoCo lawmakers are unwilling to cross the picket line. There were apparently attempts by a few Democratic officials to broker some sort of compromise this week, but the unions appear set on holding their protest. Details below:

JUICE #1: KEN ULMAN & HEATHER MIZEUR JOIN ANTHONY BROWN IN SUPPORTING LABOR PROTEST - Three out of the four Democrats seeking the Governor's office in 2014 are now supporting the AFL-CIO's protest of the MCDCC spring ball. Only Attorney General Doug Gansler has not yet weighed in, while Lt. Governor Anthony Brown previously indicated he would be joining the labor protest. Below Maryland Juice provides statements from Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and Delegate Heather Mizeur:

KEN ULMAN: I would like to be able to support my labor friends in Montgomery County, and celebrate the achievements of my Democratic neighbors in Montgomery County. But I can't do both on May 11.  I will honor the picket and the protest, and hope that these tensions are resolved soon.

HEATHER MIZEUR: If there's one thing I learned from my Dad, a UAW member for 32 years, it's solidarity – the importance of standing together. My Dad never once crossed a picket line, and I certainly will not cross one for Saturday's event.

JUICE #2: DEL. AISHA BRAVEBOY JOINS DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL IN SUPPORTING UNION PROTESTERS - Maryland Juice previously printed responses from three out of the four Democratic candidates for Attorney General indicating they would be supporting the union protesters and cancelling previous plans to attend the MCDCC spring ball: State Senator Brian Frosh and Delegates Bill Frick & Jon Cardin. But now all four Democratic candidates are supporting the protest. We recently received the following statement from Del. Aisha Braveboy indicating that she too would not be attending the MCDCC ball:

DEL. AISHA BRAVEBOY: I respect the decision by our brothers and sisters in labor to exercise their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and to assemble; and I believe that the decision by labor to boycott and picket the MCDCC Spring Fling was made after thoughtful consideration and deliberation by its membership.

My hope is that this action by our party's most loyal and giving constituency will lead to meaningful dialogues between all parties and the development of a plan to move forward in unity.

I hope to be able to attend the Spring Fling in 2014, but will be standing in solidarity with my labor partners this year.

Respectully,
Aisha N. Braveboy, Esq. Delegate (D-25)

JUICE #3: COALITION OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORT LABOR PROTEST OF MCDCC BALL - Today Maryland Juice received the latest AFL-CIO Metro Council email newsletter, and it includes a round-up of additional officials and groups endorsing their planned picket of the MoCo Democratic Spring Ball this weekend (excerpt below):

AFL-CIO: Here’s who’s joined the boycott thus far: Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO; FOP Lodge 35; UFCW Local 1994, MCGEO; IAFF Local 1664; Montgomery County Young Democrats; Prince Georges County Young Democrats; Progressive Maryland; Fund Our Communities; Senator Ben Cardin (D, MD); Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony Brown; Del. Charles Barkley; Del. Bill Frick; Del Brian Frosh; Sen. Rob Garagiola; Del. Tom Hucker; Sen. Roger Manno; Del. Heather R. Mizeur; Sen. Karen Montgomery.

MORE ON THE LABOR PROTEST OF THE MCDCC BALL SOON!

GUEST POST: "A Petulant Child in Montgomery County" // Democratic Precinct Official Condemns MCDCC Protest

Below Maryland Juice publishes a guest post from Matthew Herrmann, a Democratic Party activist, precinct official, and Democratic club official. In the column below, Herrmann condemns a planned protest by labor leaders of the MoCo Democratic Party's spring ball this weekend:

MATTHEW HERRMANN:  "A Petulant Child in Montgomery County"

As a long-time Democratic activist I write in opposition to the proposed boycott of the 2013 Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) fundraiser next week.  As Democrats we all support the basic and fundamental tenants of the union movement.  However, their proposed actions next week are disappointing and an insult to every Democratic activist and voter in Montgomery County.  Unfortunately, their actions resemble a petulant child that has been unable to get their way.

Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO is proposing to boycott the MCDCC annual fundraiser because the MCDCC recommended supporting Question B on the ballot last year.  The referendum upheld a unanimous Montgomery County Council decision to eliminate effects bargaining for the police union – a benefit that did not exist for any other workers in the County or any other union for that matter.  The unions had asked for a referendum to overturn the unanimous decision by the County Council arguing that it greatly diminished their bargaining rights.  As is tradition, the Central Committee called for a meeting of all Democratic activists including precinct chairs, co-chairs, club leaders and other long-time leaders of the party to debate and vote on what position the Democratic party of the county would take on all referendum matters.  When it came to Question B, an overwhelming number of Democratic activists in the party, 109 to 14, voted in support of Question B which upheld the County Council decision to eliminate effects bargaining for the police union.  As is tradition and the general rules of the party, the Central Committee voted to affirm the vote of activists and provided the result of that vote to voters on a sample ballot during last year’s election.

I respect the union’s right to organize and protest this decision by party activists.  In fact, I fight every day to protect that right for unions and individuals.  What I find appalling is that the union is trying to fracture the Democratic Party at an annual event that is critical to the success of the party.  An actual picket line of the annual fundraiser would likely lead to a significant loss of funds for the party and potentially put the party at risk for supporting candidates and initiatives in the upcoming 2014 election. 

The union’s actions are in direct contravention of a significant majority of Democratic activists and nearly 60% of the entire county’s residents.  The union believes that residents of Montgomery County will blindly follow Union positions.  As a long-time resident of the County what I love about my home is that the County is full of contentious and active voters.  They are well aware of the issues that impact them and vote on the value of the issue.  As such, I am also deeply disappointed in some elected officials that have blindly followed the union in boycotting the MCDCC Spring Ball despite the fact that an overwhelming number of activists whom they heavily rely for donations and volunteering supported Question B.  I think many activists will weigh their allegiances in the upcoming election carefully on how elected officials act during this difficult period.

Effects’ bargaining is a unique tool that only the police in the county had authority to utilize and very few other organizations in the U.S.  Despite false rhetoric to the contrary this repeal has no effect on the union’s basic right to organize and bargain for workers conditions and wages.  In fact, it’s ironic that on the same day the union decided to boycott the event the County Council Committee in charge of the union’s wages voted for a 6% pay increase – a well deserved raise given the last several years of fiscal austerity. 

I hope the union will sit down and seriously re-consider its proposed boycott of the annual Democratic Party fundraiser.  The knee jerk reactions to the party activists vote in favor of question b are tantamount to how North Korea reacts to any push for serious Six Party talks to resolve denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.  I hope the union leadership will seriously reconsider their picture in light of overwhelming voter and activist support for Question B.  They may not agree with us but the decisions were made on solid facts.  I don’t always agree with the results of referendum in Montgomery County but most party activists support the ultimate decisions of voters in the County and certainly do not hold worthwhile causes hostage after the vote.  The effect of a boycott on the annual fundraiser will only further hurt the union’s efforts in larger policy issues in the coming issues.  I urge the union to recognize the by-product of a fair and transparent democratic process and move on to bigger and more important issues.  Any action to the contrary is merely spiteful and is smack in the face to activists that have, for a long time, fought and supported initiatives that are good for the working man and woman.

Written by:
Matthew Herrmann
Democratic Party Activist – Precinct Official
Democratic Club Official

MORE ON THE LABOR PROTEST OF THE MCDCC BALL SOON!

Unions Picketing MoCo Democratic Party Fundraiser // Anthony Brown, 2014 AG Candidates, Young Dems & More Join Effort

All week Maryland Juice has been hearing murmurs about a possible protest by labor unions at the Montgomery County Democratic Party's (MCDCC) May 11th annual fundraising event. It turns out the picket line has been given the green light, and the MCDCC's annual spring ball is now becoming a full-blown political controversy. The AFL-CIO Metro Council released the following statement today announcing the formation of a picket line (excerpt below):

AFL-CIO: The metro Washington-area labor movement is boycotting – and picketing -- the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee’s Spring Ball because the Committee took a position in favor of the 2012 Question B referendum, which took away the police union’s right to bargain the effects of management decisions....

[Metro Council President Jos Williams said] "‘An injury to one is an injury to all’. When the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee decided to support Question B, it not only took sides, it took a position in opposition to organized labor and for that it must pay a price, which in this case is a withdrawal of our – and our friends and allies -- traditional support for the MCDCC Spring Ball, and the establishment of a picket line to publically express our disappointment with the MCDCC.”

Added UFCW 1994 MCGEO president Gino Renne, “Labor will not tolerate being treated as an ATM and foot soldiers for a party which is often indifferent -- and sometimes openly hostile -- to working families in Montgomery county.”

ANTHONY BROWN & BEN CARDIN SUPPORT MCDCC PROTEST // PLUS: SOME DONORS SEEKING REFUNDS - We are now hearing reports of several statewide candidates who are canceling their previous plans to attend the Montgomery County Democrats' spring ball. Additionally, some donors that had previously paid to reserve entire tables are now seeking refunds, which appears to be enraging MoCo Democratic Party officials. This could get ugly, because I'm told that the MCDCC ball is one of the key revenue generators for the MoCo Democratic Party's annual budget. I'm also hearing that the refund requests might not be honored anyway. We shall have to see how this all plays out.

Below Maryland Juice provides statements from several candidates regarding the MCDCC event, along with some background info on what started this conflict. The AFL's statement announcing the picket line also noted that statewide Democratic officials have pledged their support for the labor protest:

AFL-CIO: Senator Ben Cardin (D, MD), Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and the Montgomery County Young Democrats are among those who have announced that they’re honoring a boycott of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee’s May 11 Spring Ball....

MOCO YOUNG DEMS JOIN PROTEST OF MCDCC - It is interesting to see the Montgomery County Young Democrats participating in this protest, given that their President Dave Kunes is being awarded "Democrat of the Year" at the event. But note that Kunes previously worked for AFSCME.


2014 ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATES CANCEL PLANS TO ATTEND BALL - Maryland Juice today received statements from three out of four candidates for Attorney General announcing they will not cross the picket line at the MCDCC ball. Maryland Juice did not receive a response from Del. Aisha Braveboy by the time we posted this entry, but below you can read remarks from State Senator Brian Frosh and Delegate Bill Frick, along with a press release from Delegate Jon Cardin:

• STATE SENATOR BRIAN FROSH: I have always valued the support of organized labor and I respect the sanctity of the picket line. I have never crossed a picket line and will not for this event.  Unfortunately, this dispute will prevent me from honoring my dear friend and supporter Madeleine Siegel,  by presenting her with the Rosalie Reilly Lifetime Service Award for her outstanding commitment and contributions to the County Democratic Party.  

• DELEGATE BILL FRICK: I bought tickets, but won't cross any picket line to use them.

PRESS RELEASE

Del. Jon Cardin to Stand with Montgomery County’s Working
Families, Skip Democratic Central Committee Spring Ball

BALTIMORE, MD – Del. Jon Cardin, who is currently laying the groundwork to run for Attorney General, announced today that he would stand in solidarity with Montgomery County’s unions and working families – and not attend this year’s Montgomery County Democratic Central Spring Ball on May 11, 2013.

The Metropolitan Council AFL-CIO and Fraternal Order of Police announced recently that they would boycott the Spring Ball after the Central Committee endorsed Question B on last year’s ballot, which dramatically limited the FOP’s rights to collectively bargain.

“Today and always, I’m proud to stand with the police officers who risk their lives to keep us safe,” Del. Cardin said. “At a time when so many working Marylanders, including our police officers, are having a tough time making ends meet, we should help folks earn a better living – not make it tougher for them to get a fair shake.”

In the Maryland legislature over the past 10 years, Del. Cardin has been a consistent supporter of working families and their right to organize.

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BACKGROUND OF THE PROTEST: The original grievance that led to calls for a protest came from Montgomery County's Fraternal Order of Police, who fought with MoCo Democrats over the police officers' "effects bargaining" rights. The County Executive and County Council voted to eliminate these rights, and the police union initiated a referendum (Question B) to fight the policy change during the November 2012 Presidential Election.

But the current conflict with the MCDCC started when MoCo Democrats created and mailed a sample ballot to all registered MoCo Democrats. Their endorsements included a recommendation that Democrats support the elimination of effects bargaining rights. Members of the MCDCC voted overwhelmingly for that recommendation prior to issuing of the sample ballot, and it appears that the FOP is now retaliating against the party for tipping the scales on the issue.

Here's how the FOP described the issue on their 2012 campaign website (excerpt below):

FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE: For over 30 years Montgomery County police officers have collectively bargained over issues critical to us and our families, including the effects of the exercise of management rights.... Repealing effects bargaining will set back police labor relations. It will undermine the purpose of the police collective bargaining law which has kept labor peace for over 30 years....

95% of management decisions do not implicate effects bargaining. Effects bargaining does not impede operational decisions. In the 30 years that effects bargaining has been in place, police operations has run smoothly. In fact, so smoothly, that the county has never utilized the process in the law for resolving a dispute over effects within 50 days.... Don’t be fooled into believing that effects bargaining is about requiring police officers to check their email. It is about requiring us to check email when we are on vacation or in the hospital giving birth....

We police officers are concerned about having the resources and training to do our jobs well. We are concerned about the effects of management decisions that impact our schedules, ability to plan time with our families, our vacations, and our time off. We are concerned about fairness in transfers, assignments, and promotions. For over 30 years that effects bargaining has existed, no call has gone unanswered, no report of crime has gone uninvestigated. Simply put, effects bargaining has had no adverse impact on the public. Federal employees and most private sector employees with collective bargaining have the right to bargain collectively over the effects of the exercise of a management right....

MORE ON THE MCDCC SPRING BALL PROTEST SOON!

EARLY VOTE TOTALS (For vs. Against): Marriage Equality 54% vs. 46%, Dream Act 65% vs. 35% , Gambling 49% vs. 51%

10:20 PM UPDATE: Follow the results at the Board of Elections site:

• Q4: 58.5% "for" vs. 41.5% "against" - Dream Act
• Q5: 64.4% "for"  vs. 35.6% "against" - Redistricting
• Q6: 50.6% "for" vs. 49.4% "against" - Marriage Equality
• Q7: 51.3% "for" vs. 48.7% "against" - Gambling Expansion

The Maryland Board of Elections has just released the early vote totals (along with a handful of election day precinct results), and here's the current status of the major ballot questions (leaders highlighted in red):

• Question 4: Dream Act - 65.28% "for"  vs. 34.72% "against"
• Question 5: Redistricting - 66.98% "for" vs. 33.02% "against"
• Question 6: Marriage Equality - 53.5% "for" vs. 46.5% "against"
• Question 7: Gambling Expansion -  49.12% "for" vs. 50.88% "against"

• MoCo Question A: Disability Hiring - 82.05% "for" vs. 17.95% "against"
• Moco Question B: Police Effects Bargaining Repeal - 53.99% "for" vs. 46.01% "against"

• MoCo School Board At-Large: Phil Kauffman 78.32% vs. Morris Panner 21.27%
• MoCo School Board District 2: Rebecca Smondrowski 53.64% vs. Fred Evans 46.1%
 

Follow the returns online at the MD Board of Elections

We'll update this post later in the evening!

VIDEOS: MoCo Police Union Airs TV Ad Against Question B with Fallen Cop's Wife // PLUS: New Ad Against Casino Expansion

Below Maryland Juice readers can watch two new television ads regarding the heated November ballot questions. The first spot below is from Montgomery County's police union (FOP Lodge 35) and features the wife of a fallen officer urging voters to "vote against" MoCo Question B (repeal of police union "effects bargaining" rights). The second ad is the latest salvo from the "vote against" Question 7 folks (aka the side against gambling expansion):



Watch the following ad against gambling expansion (Question 7):

Prosecutor Ends Investigation of MoCo's Referendum Advocacy But Activities Might Not Be Kosher // AG's Opinion Requested

BACKGROUND: Maryland Juice has been reporting on the heated battle between Montgomery County's government and its police union (FOP Lodge 35). The fight concerns MoCo's advocacy (using taxpayer resources) for Question B, which would eliminate "effects bargaining" rights for police union members. The FOP recently asked the State of Maryland to investigate these activities, alleging that MoCo was in criminal violation of the law. The police union claimed MoCo was engaging in campaign activities without registering a committee and that their use of tax dollars was not kosher.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION CLOSED, BUT ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION REQUESTED: A State Prosecutor thought the circumstances warranted an investigation and started looking into the matter earlier this week. But yesterday, they released a letter closing their criminal investigation. In their letter, they noted that MoCo government officials and employees had relied upon their County Attorney's legal advice in engaging in Question B advocacy (excerpt below):

STATE PROSECUTOR: ...any actions of County officials and employees in this case were clearly undertaken without criminal intent in good-faith reliance upon reasonable and competent (even if erroneous) legal advice. For that reason we have closed our criminal investigation into this matter....

Even though the prosecutor did not think criminal charges were in order, he still seems to believe that MoCo is not operating within the bounds of the law and has now asked Attorney General Doug Gansler's office to weigh in with an advisory opinion. See the pertinent excerpts from the Prosecutor's letter below:

STATE PROSECUTOR: The State Prosecutor initially concluded that the plain language of the statutes here at issue is clear, unequivocal and unambiguous. There are no express exceptions for the types of activity at issue here....

The Montgomery County Attorney finds the language of the statute and the applicable rules of interpretation sufficiently ambiguous....

This issue will, undoubtedly, arise again. The Montgomery County Attorney has suggested that a formal opinion of the Attorney General be sought to address these issues. The State Prosecutor agrees and requests that the Attorney General render an opinion....

The Prosecutor proceeded to ask Attorney General Doug Gansler's office to issue an advisory opinion on:

1. whether a county government and its employees can use taxpayer resources for referenda without registering a campaign committee
2. whether a county government and its employees are exempt from campaign finance rules
3. whether a county government and its employees can use taxpayer resources for referenda

Below you can read the full letter from Maryland Prosecutor Emmet Davitt:
Maryland Prosecutor Letter

EMAIL BLAST: Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett Makes Personal Appeal for Question B: "I Need Your Help"

Today Maryland Juice received the email blast below from Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. Yesterday, the MoCo police union (FOP Lodge 30) called for the resignation of Leggett's spokesperson, Patrick Lacefield, over the county's Question B referendum. Today, Leggett is striking back with a personal appeal to voters to "vote for" Question B and eliminate "effects bargaining" for county police:

Vote FOR Question B requests Ike Leggett

Please Vote For Question B    Last year, all nine Montgomery County Councilmembers voted to support a critical reform at the Montgomery County Police Department.     As County Executive, I signed it into law. Police Union leaders have petitioned that reform to the November ballot. That's Question B. Democrats and Republicans may not agree on much - but both parties in the County are urging a vote FOR Question B. Currently, Police Union leaders can demand to bargain any and all management decisions made by the Police Chief.  This makes no sense. It diminishes accountability, inhibits innovation, and costs County taxpayers lots of money. It prevents the Chief from effectively carrying out his job of managing the Police Department in the most productive way possible -- protecting both his officers and the lives and property of County residents. No  other Police Union in the State and no other County employee union have this power. The change would preserve the union's right to bargain on wages, hours, working conditions, and safety but fix their sweeping ability to make the Police Chief bargain every management decision with them.       There's more info at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/questionB  What can you do? Vote FOR Question B. Early voting begins October 27. Take this email, share on your community listserve, and forward to your friends and neighbors. Contact "Neighbors FOR Question B" to help at Agordontax@aol.com Thanks for your help. Ike I need your help to win a "FOR Question B" vote.

MoCo Police Union Calls for Resignation of County Exec Ike Leggett's Spokesperson // Question B Fight Gets Personal

The Gazette is reporting that Montgomery County's police union (FOP Lodge 35) is calling for the resignation of County Executive Ike Leggett's spokesperson Patrick Lacefield. The two sides are at odds over MoCo's Question B referendum, which calls for an elimination of "effects bargaining" rights for police union members. See an excerpt from The Gazette article, followed by information from the FOP's "vote against" Question B website:

GAZETTE: Lanny Davis, who is representing Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35, asked Leggett (D) to ask for Patrick Lacefield’s resignation. Lacefield is the county director of the Office of Public Information....

In defending the county’s actions, Lacefield said the county was following a similar plan from 2010, when a proposed fee for ambulance services was being debated. The county, with an OK from the Attorney General’s Office, advocated for the ambulance fee, spending about $12,000 in county funds. Lacefield said former FOP president Mark Zifcak supported the county’s actions in 2010.

That Zifcak supported spending public money, Davis said, is a lie. That the county truly advocated support of the question is a lie, he said.... When asked his reaction to Davis’ call for his resignation, Lacefield said, “Just doing my job” — a job he called an “honor.

FOP ALLEGES COUNTY IS LYING ABOUT QUESTION B: The FOP, for what its worth, has released a website countering the Montgomery County "vote for" Question B site, that alleges MoCo is lying about the impact of "effects bargaining." Maryland Juice pulled out the first two items on their rebuttal below, but you can see their full roster of rebuttals online.

Ike Leggit's Claims	The TRUTH
"Under "effects bargaining," Police Chief Tom Manger has to bargain everything about running his department with Police Union leaders. "	This is a bald-face lie. In fact, 95% of all police department operations are not subject to AN Y bargaining. Under existing law, the County must bargain over ONLY the effect on employees of an exercise of a management right. Most management decisions do not have an effect. Without triggering effects bargaining FOP members in Montgomery County have been able to effectively perform their jobs, including: Responding to the Beltway sniper Responding to Discovery Channel bomber Relocating MCP Headquarters and Rockville District Station. The investigation of 62,944 crimes reported in 2011 The investigation of 58,081 crimes reported in 20II realizing a 7.7% reduction in crime from the previous year
"That includes the distribution of critical police equipment, ... "	The law as it is provides that when there is a significant effect on the safety of the public, the employer may implement before resolving effects bargaining. The police depaltment has never had to do so. Agreement has always been reached.

Maryland Prosecutor Investigates Montgomery County Gov't Advocacy for Question B // READ: MoCo Officials Respond

UPDATE: The Gazette today reports that Montgomery County's police union has been effectively shut out from advertising on county buses, even though MoCo has agreed to make an exception and let them advertise against Question B:

GAZETTE:  Montgomery County might be willing to make a special exception and allow the Fraternal Order of Police to put signs against Question B on RideOn buses, but police say the decision came too late....

Zifcak, immediate past president of FOP Lodge 35, said the union was told by the contractor who handles the bus advertising, Direct Media USA, that it will take 14 days to get their ad on buses. The Nov. 6 election is 13 days away.....

Below, Maryland Juice discusses two updates to the ongoing battle between Montgomery County officials and their police union. First, we highlight a Maryland prosecutors investigation of whether MoCo was improperly engaging in advocacy on this November's ballot questions, and then we update our story on allegations of censorship on MoCo's bus ads.

VIDEO: A Montgomery County Police Family Explains Their Opposition to Question B (Effects Bargaining Repeal)

Maryland Juice received the video below from advocates of police union "effects bargaining" in Montgomery County (Question B). The quick web video highlights one family's perspective and notes the following argument:

POLICE FAMILY: Question B can take away my right to have a say in how a schedule change, a transfer, or change of assignment affects my daughter's health and my families life.

A "vote for" Question B repeals the police union right to "effects bargaining," while a "vote against" would maintain that right. Watch the video appeal below:

ENDORSEMENTS: Montgomery County Teachers (MCEA) Release 2012 Apple Ballot Recommendations

For years, Montgomery County's teachers union (MCEA) has organized a sample ballot to be distributed at polling locations on election day. This year is no different, and below you can see what recommendations the teachers will be handing out on their "apple ballot." Note that earlier this week, Maryland Juice published a purple "school bus" ballot from MoCo's public school employees union SEIU. The apple ballot and school bus ballot differ on two matters: the District 2 Board of Education race and gambling. SEIU backs Rebecca Smondrowski in District 2 and also came out "for" Question 7 (gambling expansion). In contrast, the teachers are backing Fred Evans in District 2 and made no recommendation on gambling. Note: voters throughout Montgomery County can vote in all of the Board of Education races.
Montgomery County Teachers (MCEA) 2012 Apple Ballot