Sen. Rafferty earns a perfect score from Maine AFL-CIO for voting record supporting working families
AUGUSTA — Sen. Joe Rafferty, D-Kennebunk, received a perfect score from the Maine AFL-CIO’s 2021 Legislative Scorecard for his voting record to promote fair wages, safe work environments and support working families. Sen. Rafferty was one of 18 senators to earn a perfect score. The Maine AFL-CIO scored 12 initiatives considered by the 130th Maine Legislature.
“Protecting and supporting Maine workers is a big reason I wanted to get involved in the Legislature, to begin with,” said Sen. Rafferty. “I am pleased to report that we made great strides last session to do just that. You have my word that each day I am in Augusta, I am always looking for ways to improve workplace safety and keeping in mind how each bill will affect Maine’s working families.”
As former chair of the Legislature’s Labor Committee, Sen. Rafferty has a long track record of showing up and fighting for Maine workers and families. Before serving in the Legislature, Sen. Rafferty served as president of his local teachers union. He also served as chief negotiator on the contract negotiation team for his fellow teachers. This year, Sen. Rafferty sponsored legislation to leverage existing Maine Apprenticeship Program funds to increase apprentice wages. Now signed into law, this measure supports workers and uplifts apprenticeships that lead to good-paying jobs in Maine. Sen. Rafferty also cosponsored legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, which would have helped create and support jobs in the U.S. by creating a state procurement preference for Made in the USA goods and materials. Sen. Rafferty also cosponsored legislation to level the playing field for public sector workers in contract negotiations.
Founded in 1956, the Maine AFL-CIO is a state federation of more than 160 local labor unions, representing more than 40,000 Maine workers and retirees. The organization works to improve the lives and labor conditions its members and working people all across the state. The 2021 Maine AFL-CIO Legislative Scorecard and scorecards from previous legislative sessions are available at scorecard.maineaflcio.org.
