Lawmakers Pass Measure to Protect Maine Loggers

Resolve would strengthen Department of Labor rules against the unethical use of foreign loggers

AUGUSTA – Lawmakers in the Maine House and Senate passed a measure yesterday that would empower the Maine Department of Labor to strengthen its rules against the unethical use of foreign loggers. The measure passed unanimously in the House and 21-13 in the Senate.

“We need to crack down on the unethical, and often illegal, use of foreign loggers,” said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson (D-Allagash), who is a logger himself. “There are plenty of qualified Maine loggers that are still looking for work, and it is deeply unjust that they don’t get a fair shot.”

Senator Jackson also expressed dismay that the measure did not receive a two-thirds vote in the Senate, the amount required for the measure to take effect immediately.

“I am very troubled that so many of my legislative colleagues sided with contractors who use foreign workers rather than American workers,” said Senator Jackson. “I urge them to change course when the measure comes up for enactment. They were voted in by Mainers and should vote on the side of Mainers.”

The measure, L.D. 1259, “Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 17: Rules Regarding Proof of Ownership and Recruitment by Employers Employing Foreign Laborers To Operate Logging Equipment, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Labor,” faces more votes in the House and Senate.

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