Supporters submitted more than 6,200 signatures to block Salisbury’s repeal of collective bargaining rights for firefighters, police officers and other city employees

By Josh Davis
Baltimore Sun

SALISBURY, Md. — Organizers fighting to preserve collective bargaining rights for Salisbury’s municipal workers submitted more than 6,200 petition signatures Monday, potentially sending the issue to a referendum and blocking the City Council’s repeal until voters decide.

More than 100 volunteers delivered 6,223 signatures — about 54% more than what organizers believed they needed, according to Jared Schablein, an organizer of the campaign.

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“People want this. And we’re excited for this to go on the ballot,” Schablein said.

Salisbury granted collective bargaining rights in 2022 to police officers, career firefighters and general government workers across city departments. In May, after weeks of tense debate, the City Council voted 3-2 to repeal that charter provision, following Mayor Randy Taylor ’s assertion that the system had become financially unsustainable.

Taylor said labor costs make up roughly 70% of the city budget and that agreements providing 6% annual raises outpaced Salisbury’s average annual revenue growth of about $2 million.

The petition could now put that repeal on hold. Once validated, it would prevent the council’s action from taking effect, leaving the existing collective bargaining provision in place until Salisbury voters decide whether to repeal it.

First, however, the signatures must be verified. Maryland law requires a referendum petition challenging a municipal charter amendment to include valid signatures from at least 20% of qualified city voters.

AFSCME Maryland Council 3 said the Wicomico County Board of Elections will review the petitions and expressed confidence that the effort met the legal threshold.

“Thousands of Salisbury’s voters have made their voices heard through this petition effort, and it’s clear that the people of this community overwhelmingly support our city workers,” the union said.

Taylor confirmed the petitions are under review by the City Clerk’s Office.

“The mayor’s office will report when more information is known,” Taylor said.

The city clerk did not respond to questions about the verification process or how long the review could take.

State law allows the City Council to schedule the referendum during the next regular municipal election or call a special election. Salisbury’s next city election is scheduled for November 2027. Schablein said it’s unclear whether the question could appear on the general-election ballot this November.

“That will be up to the city,” he said.

The campaign collected the signatures in 37 days. Schablein estimated more than 100 people participated, including union members, retired and off-duty firefighters, local elected officials and members of civic organizations.

Brandon Records, president of Salisbury Career Firefighters Local 4246, said the signature total showed the mayor and council majority “do not speak for the citizens of Salisbury.”

“The IAFF and AFSCME have put in the work and completed this first step,” Records said. “We now look forward to keeping our momentum to the polls at election time.”

Schablein rejected Taylor’s previous criticism of the petition campaign, including complaints about paid canvassers from outside Maryland.

“The mayor can say what he wants,” Schablein said. “The people of Salisbury stand with our first responders and city workers.”

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