State House Democrats oppose unfair measure to undercut state workers'pay

AUGUSTA – Democratic leaders in the Maine House and Senate today issued the following statements in support of public workers, as the Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development Committee held a public hearing on an eleventh-hour measure to undercut the ability of public sector workers to negotiate with the governor over wages and working conditions.

“Democrats stand strong in support of the hard-working men and women who teach our kids, make our communities strong, and keep us all safe,” said Sen. Barry Hobbins of Saco, the Senate Democratic leader. “It is important that we continue to protect their rights and ensure fairness in the workplace.”

The controversial bill, LD 309, would repeal a current law that says that all workers who benefit from representation and bargaining share the costs, whether or not they are members of an organized labor group.

Public workers are required to pay toward the cost of collective bargaining conducted by the employee association on their behalf to determine working conditions, pay structure, and benefits. They are not required to pay full union membership dues unless they choose to be a member of the association.

“It makes no sense at all to have only some people pay for a benefit that goes to everyone,” said Rep. Emily Cain of Orono, who serves as the House Democratic leader. “It’s only fair to share the cost.”

Public hearings for proposed new laws are typically held in the early months of the session.  It is highly unusual for committees, other than the Appropriations Committee, to meet and work in June.

The bill first arrived in the Labor committee on Feb. 2, where it was expected to have a public hearing in February or March, like other bills dealt with this session. The bill sat for months with no public hearing scheduled until May 17 when, under a joint House-Senate rule, the bill was taken back from the committee to the floor of the House by the Speaker.  It was expected to be killed, like a similar proposal for private sector workers that was “indefinitely postponed” by the House and Senate on Tuesday.

Republican lawmakers sent the controversial measure back to committee for a last minute public hearing late last week after highly partisan fights in the House and Senate. The hearing comes as the administration begins negotiations on a new contract with the Maine State Employee Associations.

During debates in the Maine House and Senate, Democrats argued the measure was revived in response to pressure from the governor’s office in an effort to undermine state employees’ rights in negotiating their contract.

“It’s a sad day when the legislature has to do the governor’s dirty work,” said Sen.  Justin Alfond of Portland, the assistant Senate Democratic leader. “The administration has made it clear that they are not interested in supporting the working people of Maine.”

“This attack on Maine public workers is bad policy on top of bad process,” said Rep. Terry Hayes of Buckfield, the assistant House Democratic leader. “The timing of this bill is suspect and the policy is politically motivated.”