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SB 373

State Personnel - BWI Airport Fire and Rescue Department - Collective Bargaining and Arbitration Processes

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pam Beidle

SB 373 establishes collective bargaining and arbitration rights for BWI Airport's fire and rescue personnel, enabling labor negotiations with binding dispute resolution mechanisms.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 653
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Bill Summary · SB 373

Legislative bill overview

SB 373 establishes a specialized collective bargaining and arbitration process for the Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Airport Fire and Rescue Department. The bill creates a framework allowing fire and rescue personnel at BWI to engage in labor negotiations with specific procedural requirements, including provisions for resolving disputes through arbitration when negotiations reach an impasse.

Why is this important

This legislation affects approximately 200-300 public safety workers at Maryland's major airport hub. The bill addresses longstanding labor relations gaps for airport fire services, which operate under different rules than municipal fire departments, potentially impacting employee compensation, working conditions, and service continuity at a critical transportation facility.

Potential points of contention

  • Arbitration binding authority - The bill grants arbitrators significant power to determine wages and benefits, which may limit management's budgetary flexibility and control over personnel costs at airport operations
  • Scope of bargaining - Questions remain about what workplace issues fall within negotiable scope versus management prerogatives, particularly regarding operational procedures and staffing levels critical to airport safety
  • Precedent concerns - This specialized process for one airport department could create pressure to extend similar rights to other state and local public safety workers, affecting broader labor relations frameworks

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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