MAINE SENATE REJECTS ANTI-WORKER BILLS

AUGUSTA – Today, the Maine Senate rejected three harmful anti-worker bills that sought to undermine Maine workers’ income and benefits.

Two of the bills were so-called right to work bills, LD 404, “An Act To Prohibit Public Employers from Acting as Collection Agents for Labor Unions” and LD 489, “An Act To Ensure the Right To Work without Payment of Dues or Fees to a Labor Union as a Condition of Employment”  and were defeated in a vote of 23-12  and 21-14 respectively.

Sen. John Patrick of Rumford

“So-called right to work legislation is really a right to work for less in a race to the bottom that is crippling working people across the country,” said Democratic State Senator John Patrick of Rumford, who serves on the state’s Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development committee. “It does nothing to guarantee jobs and only serves to put less money in the pockets of hard working men and women across our state.”

The third measure, L.D. 1319 “An Act To Ensure That Wages and Benefits of Maine State Employees Serve a Public Purpose” was defeated with a vote of 23-12.

“We need a state that stands up for its workers and recognizes the only way to make our state economically stronger is to treat our workers well,” added Senator Patrick.

In states with right-to-work-for-less laws, workers have lower wages, worse benefits, and poorer working conditions. On average, workers in these states make $5,971 less each year than workers elsewhere. Fewer than 54 percent have health insurance through their jobs, compared with more than 57 percent elsewhere, and they pay almost 30 percent of their premiums, compared with 26 percent. The rate of workplace deaths is 54.4 higher than in states without right-to-work-for-less laws.

All three bills, also defeated in the House, are now dead and will see no further action.