MoCo Unions Decry Proposed Cuts to Negotiated Raises

Councilmember Jawando calls for fully funding union contracts without raising property taxes

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A dynamic, fragmented painting depicting abstract political symbols like a gavel, ballot box, and podium in a swirling composition of bold blue, green, and orange hues, conveying the complex tensions surrounding the county's budget process.Montgomery County's budget negotiations expose deep political divisions as officials struggle to balance funding for public services and union contracts.Rockville Today

Montgomery County unions are criticizing a proposed county budget plan that would reduce negotiated wage increases for government employees. Councilmember Will Jawando is calling for the county to fully fund the union contracts without raising property taxes, while Council President Natali Fani-González has proposed a budget with lower wage increases to avoid a property tax hike.

Why it matters

This budget debate highlights the tension between funding public services, honoring union contracts, and keeping taxes low amid economic uncertainty. The outcome could impact thousands of county workers and the quality of public services.

The details

Fani-González's $7.9 billion budget proposal calls for a 2% general wage increase, lower than the 2.85% increase negotiated by unions. Jawando opposes this, saying it breaks the promise made to workers. Union leaders argue the negotiated contracts must be fully funded. Jawando's alternative plan would raise taxes on high-earners to avoid a property tax hike and provide larger increases for nonprofit partners.

  • The Montgomery County Council is debating the fiscal year 2027 operating budget, which begins on July 1, 2026.
  • County Executive Marc Elrich proposed an $8 billion budget that included a property tax rate increase.

The players

Will Jawando

A Montgomery County Councilmember who is running for County Executive. He is calling for fully funding union contracts without raising property taxes.

Natali Fani-González

The Montgomery County Council President, who has proposed a $7.9 billion budget with lower wage increases to avoid a property tax hike.

Marc Elrich

The Montgomery County Executive, who proposed an $8 billion budget that included a property tax rate increase.

Lisa Blackwell-Brown

The secretary and treasurer of UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, the union representing non-uniformed county government employees.

David Stein

The president of the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), the union representing teachers.

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What they’re saying

“This is a people budget, and you don't balance a people budget on the backs of the people doing the work.”

— Will Jawando, Montgomery County Councilmember

“The individuals that we represent provide the critical services every single day that this county enjoys. We are demanding that the County Council fund not [just] our contract, but all labor agreements that were on the table.”

— Lisa Blackwell-Brown, Secretary and Treasurer, UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO

“We cannot balance our budget woes on the backs of students and county employees. We do not have to choose between funding education and funding essential services. We can and we have to do both.”

— David Stein, President, Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA)

What’s next

The Montgomery County Council will continue debating the fiscal year 2027 budget proposal in the coming weeks, with a final vote expected in late spring 2026.

The takeaway

This budget dispute highlights the difficult tradeoffs Montgomery County faces in funding public services, honoring union contracts, and keeping taxes low. The outcome will impact thousands of county workers and the quality of public services provided to residents.