Members of Baltimore City Fop3:

Over the past several weeks our attorneys at SBWD and I have been trying to communicate with the city in an attempt to get clarity on their new COVID Vaccination Policy. We have made several attempts to talk to the city about the various, and very obvious, issues with their vague policy. We were advised a couple of weeks ago, and again Wednesday, that the city would provide us with answers to our questions. We were then pushed to yesterday morning (Thurs. 10/14/21) when we received an invite to discuss the vaccination policy next week on 10/21/21. Yes, that’s three days after their policy is scheduled to go into effect.

FOP3 believes that there are multiple collective bargaining issues that surround the city’s vaccination policy. We have made multiple attempts to sit down and discuss these issues to no avail. Due to the city’s continuous refusal to meet with FOP3 I had our attorneys at SBWD file an unfair labor practice with the Office of the Labor Commissioner. Also, our attorneys at SBWD will be filing a court action today (10/15/21), in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, in an attempt to at least delay the implementation of this policy until it can be bargained with FOP3.

It is understandable that our members have questions about a policy with so little information being provided by the city. Until the city responds to our right to bargain these issues, or the courts intervene, I suggest you do nothing in regard to revealing your vaccination status as it is outlined in the city’s policy. Obviously, this is an individual choice on how each of you handles this situation. Whatever choice you make FOP3 and I will be there to support you in your decision.

Until I have more information be safe and look out for one another.

Respectfully,

Mike Mancuso

President, Baltimore City FOP3