New Charter Resolution allows Collective Bargaining for some Public Works Employees

The Mayor and City Council approved Charter Resolution No. 179 at the May 22^nd Mayor and City Council meeting. The Charter Amendment allows for collective bargaining for certain employees of the Department of Public Works. Council Member Keith R. Sydnor made the motion to approve the resolution. Council Member James Kole seconded the motion. The Mayor and City Council voted unanimously to pass the charter amendment resolution.

CHARTER RESOLUTION NO. 179

A CHARTER RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL AMENDING ARTICLE 300 “GOVERNMENT” OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF LAUREL TO AMEND SECTION 357 TO ALLOW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Sponsored by the President, at the request of the Administration.

WHEREAS certain employees of the Department of Public Works have requested approval from the Mayor and City Council to engage in collective bargaining; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council have agreed with the request from certain employees from the Department of Public Works to provide for collective bargaining for certain employees of the Department of Public Works; and

WHEREAS this Charter Resolution is necessary to allow collective bargaining for certain employees of the Department of Public Works by the Mayor and City Council after a re-write of the City’s Labor Code; and 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Laurel’s Charter Section 357 “Collective Bargaining” is hereby amended as follows:

CHARTER AMENDMENT: Section. 357, Collective Bargaining.

The Mayor and City Council of Laurel are hereby authorized to collectively bargain with certain police officers of the Laurel City Police Department and certain employees of the Department of Public Works. Subsequent negotiations shall be determined by such labor code or the initial collective bargaining agreement.

            AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the date of adoption of this Charter Resolution is the 22^ndday of May, 2023, and that the amendment to the Charter of the City as herein adopted, shall be and become effective on the 12^thday of July, 2023 unless on or before the 3^rdday of July, 2023, a Petition for Referendum on this Charter Resolution is filed in writing with the Mayor or City Administrator, pursuant to the provision of Title 4, Subtitle 3 of the Local Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

            AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective on the 12^thday of July, 2023.

PASSED this 22^nd day of May, 2023.