Maryland Governor Wes Moore has faced increasing tensions with some labor unions, despite portraying himself as a supporter of workers. Union officials have expressed concerns that Moore often fails to follow through on commitments and has been confrontational at times. This friction poses challenges for Moore as he builds his national profile ahead of a potential presidential run in 2028.
The Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO has not endorsed Moore's reelection campaign, a shift from their support in the 2022 election. Donna Edwards, president of the Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO, noted that Moore's team did not return an endorsement questionnaire, which is a requirement for consideration. Additionally, food service workers at Baltimore/Washington International Airport have initiated a campaign criticizing Moore for not adequately addressing their wage concerns.
Moore's administration has also faced difficulties in negotiations with the AFSCME Maryland Council 3, which represents public service workers, over salary increases. The union rejected a proposed wage increase, stating it was insufficient.
While some unions express dissatisfaction, others, such as the firefighters union and the Maryland State Education Association, have endorsed Moore's reelection, citing successes under his leadership. Moore's spokesperson stated that the administration has worked closely with organized labor to improve wages and workplace protections, emphasizing that disagreements with stakeholders are common in governance.
The ongoing tensions with labor could have implications for Moore's political future, particularly in the context of the Democratic coalition, which heavily relies on organized labor support.