MAINE SENATE REPUBLICANS GIVE INITIAL SUPPORT TO TAKE AWAY RIGHTS FOR CHILDCARE WORKERS

Augusta—Maine Senate Republicans supported a measure that takes away the rights of Maine childcare workers in a vote of 19 – 16.

“Yet again, the Republican-majority is more interested in taking away the rights of Maine workers than getting Maine people back to work and rebuilding our economy,” said Senator Troy Jackson of Allagash who also serves on the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development committee. “If we don’t stand up for Maine workers then who will?”

LD 1894, one of the governor’s bills submitted late in the legislative session, would repeal a 2007 law that allows collective bargaining rights for childcare providers, including how much workers are paid when providing publicly funded services. Additionally, the measure denies childcare workers the ability to discuss ways to improve the quality of childcare in Maine with decision makers.

“We trust childcare workers to take care of our kids yet this bill denies their voice in the very rules impacting them,” said Assistant Democratic Leader Justin Alfond of Portland. “We need to ensure quality child care for every working family in Maine.”

The Labor Commerce Research and Economic Development committee voted along party lines to repeal collective bargaining rights for family childcare providers. 

Earlier this month, Senate Republicans voted to repeal collective bargaining rights of DeCoster factory farm workers. DeCoster has a long history of workplace violations in Maine, and unsanitary conditions in its Iowa facilities were linked to salmonella outbreaks across the country in 2010.

The measure faces further votes in the House and Senate.