Union leadership fears that if Question 3 passes, it will change the status of workers from private to public, affecting their rights. Backers of the ballot measure say that won’t happen.
AFL-CIO
Posted inBusiness, Maine, Nation / World, News, Politics
Here’s why Bernie Sanders was disinvited to speak in Portland on Monday
The Democratic presidential candidate declined to attend the Southern Maine Labor Council’s Labor Day breakfast after being told that national union rules prohibited him from speaking.
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Posted inMaine
Wage theft bill draws criticism from business community
A proposal to increase the fines for Maine employers who cheat workers out of their pay drew sharp criticism from the businesses community this week. Rep. Jared Golden, the Lewiston Democrat pushing the measure, said that shortchanging workers of the pay they earn robs them of both “the respect they deserve” and the cash that […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Referendum would have the state pay more for education
AUGUSTA — Mainers may be asked to decide a 2016 referendum that would have the state pay more for public education. The extra money would come from those whose incomes are $200,000 or more a year. In 2004, Maine voters passed a referendum saying the state should pay 55 percent of public education costs. “It’s […]
Posted inFranklin, Livermore Falls Advertiser
Livermore Falls woman to lead Maine AFL-CIO
FARMINGTON — Cynthia Phinney believes her history of working in a shoe shop played a significant role in why she became involved in labor unions. “I saw what happened to me and my co-workers when the drive for profit led the company to move jobs to places where they could pay workers a fraction of […]
Posted inMaine
National union leader visits Maine to back Michaud, condemn LePage ‘right to work’ push
BATH — The president of the nation’s largest unionized labor organization came to Maine on Wednesday to boost Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud’s campaign for governor, calling the congressman “a friend of the working people, whether they’re union or not.” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka joined Michaud in two locations, first greeting workers at Bath Iron […]
Posted inMaine
Maine AFL-CIO votes to back Democrats Bellows and Cain
AUGUSTA — One of the state’s largest labor organizations says it’s backing a pair of Maine Democrats running for federal office in 2014. On Saturday, the Maine AFL-CIO voted to endorse state Sen. Emily Cain of Orono in her bid for Maine’s 2nd District U.S. House seat in and Shenna Bellows of Manchester in her […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Thousands of state employees could be furloughed next week if shutdown continues
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has cleared his Friday schedule so he can meet with department heads to gauge the potential damage of a prolonged U.S. government shutdown. The shutdown has sent hundreds of state employees and National Guardsmen into temporary layoffs, and if it continues into next week, “thousands” more could be furloughed, according […]