690 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

The A. M. E. Church reflects Lincoln's stirring aspiration: "With
malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right,
as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we
are in.... "

STATEMENT ON LABOR RELATIONS
WITH PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

February 12, 1968

The question of labor relations with public employees have devel-
oped into a most important governmental problem. Disputes have
become more numerous and work stoppages have focused public at-
tention on the need for a clearly defined State policy. Piecemeal legis-
lation will only complicate and confuse what is already a most difficult,
complex area of government.

The recent strikes of teachers in Montgomery County and sanita-
tion employees in New York have caused legitimate public concern.
They have generated strong and varied opinion, much of it based on
emotion rather than information. Clearly, Maryland must take a
position, but only after careful study and consideration of all points
of view.

The National Governors' Conference Task Force on State and
Local Government Labor Relations has recently completed an excel-
lent study of the subject. They have considered the entire problem,
including the confusing areas of reconciling the bargaining process to
the budget timetable and the impact on a state merit system. Ten
states already have definitive labor relations statutes.

I believe that now is the appropriate time to appoint a Task Force
on Government-Labor Relations to consider questions of representa-
tion, collective bargaining, labor disputes — and to recommend to the
Legislature a comprehensive government-labor relations act which
will set a clear policy for Maryland.

I will ask the leadership of the General Assembly to nominate two
Senators and two Delegates to serve on the Task Force. It will be ap-
pointed shortly and will be asked to report its findings to the Legis-
lature and the administration before the beginning of the 1969 reg-
ular session.