When we fight, we win (again!)

IN THIS EDITION:

CWA and IBEW Reach Tentative Agreement with Consolidated Communications
Union Members Urge Senators Collins and King to Support for the PRO Act
Bicentennial Parade in Lewiston to Feature WMLC Labor Float — Sat. August 21st
Save the Date: Maine AFL-CIO Virtual Biennial Convention — Oct. 26 - 27th
Southern Maine Labor Council Labor Day Breakfast Cancelled
Join Maine's Labor Movement — Fill Out Our Volunteer Survey!

CWA and IBEW Reach Tentative Agreement with Consolidated Communications

Consolidated Communications workers (IBEW 2320, 2326, and 2327) and CWA 1400) have reached a tentative agreement with the company after months of negotiations.

“Brothers and Sisters we currently have a tentative agreement! We are working hard to get all of the details pulled together so that we are able to share with the membership as soon as possible,” the unions announced in a joint statement. “We have achieved vastly improved subcontractor language and decreased transfer of work by several percent over a 4 year agreement. We appreciate the membership's patience and support over the last several months. We ask for some additional time so that we are able to complete a side by side for you to review.”

One of the key demands of the workers was to remove language allowing the company to use outside contractors to perform the same work as union workers. Members of the union locals voted last month to authorize a strike if they did not reach an agreement with the company by midnight Saturday. The locals represent approximately 900 employees in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Congratulations, brothers and sisters! When we FIGHT, We WIN!

Union Members Deliver Bread & Roses to Senators Collins & King & Urge Support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act

Union members from across Maine held a press conference and postcard delivery in support of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act at the offices of Senators King and Collins in Bangor on July 29. Participants delivered Senators bread and roses to the Senators' staff, symbolizing workers ongoing need for good jobs and a dignified life.

“Being part of a union has provided me with good wages, great benefits, job security and a voice in the workplace. I am here today because I want all workers to have the same opportunities I’ve had,” said Doug Hall (pictured above), a shipbuilder and member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local S6. “The PRO Act would lift many of the barriers that prevent working people from banding together and forming unions to bargain with their employers for a better life.”

Sen. Collins opposes the PRO Act, which would strengthen workers’ freedom to organize with their co-workers in the workplace and penalize employers who break the law.

“We are extremely grateful that Senator Angus King has signed on as a co-sponsor of this historic legislation, but we are very disappointed that Senator Collins has announced her opposition to it,” Hall added. “We hope she will reconsider her position and support the true wealth creators — working people.”

Senate Majority Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has stated that he will bring the PRO Act to a vote when it has 50 co-sponsors. The legislation currently has 47 co-sponsors, including Senator Angus King. Senate leaders have stated that they will also include portions of the PRO Act in the $3.5 trillion reconciliation packaged proposed by Congressional Democrats.

Participants at the event included members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, International Association of Fire Fighters, United Auto Workers, American Federation of Teachers, United Food and Commercial Workers, Maine Service Employees Association and the Maine State Nurses Association.

Bicentennial Parade in Lewiston to Feature WMLC Labor Float — Saturday, August 21st

The Western Maine Labor Council will be representing the Maine labor movement with a float in the Maine Bicentennial Parade in Lewiston and Auburn on Saturday, August 21st. All Maine AFL-CIO Affiliated unions are invited to march in the parade with the float, with their banners if possible. The float will include replicas of the famous Maine Labor Murals. Everyone is invited to come and watch!

The event is rain or shine. Participants will march without the float if it rains, since the mural replicas need to stay dry. For more information visit the parade website. If you want to march with the float click here to let us know.

Save the Date: Maine AFL-CIO Virtual Convention — Oct. 26 - 27th

The Maine AFL-CIO’s 33rd Biennial Convention will be held this October 26-27 on Zoom. This is a chance for affiliated unions to chart the course of Maine's labor movement, engage in key discussions on building worker power, discuss ideas for how to get more members involved and lots more. All affiliated unions should attend.

After assessing and discussing the current conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Maine AFL-CIO Executive Board decided that another online convention is the best way to minimize risk to participants and by extension to family and other workers. While we will miss many of the things we can do when in person together, we are again excited by certain opportunities that an online convention provides, at least one of those being the ability for more members from affiliates to participate with minimal or no cost. An official call will be sent out to affiliated unions later this month.

Remember to be thinking about nominees for the “Steward of the Year” award. This award was initiated at last year’s COPE convention and is designed to honor union stewards who really shine at what they do. Information about how to nominate someone will come with your convention call letter or shortly thereafter and will also be included in a future e-newsletter.

Southern Maine Labor Council Labor Day Breakfast Cancelled, Special Meeting Planned for Sept. 1st

Southern Maine Labor Council has decided to postpone its annual Labor Day Breakfast until 2022 due to the uptick in coronavirus cases across Southern Maine and the country. SMLC is now planning a very special agenda for their next regular meeting on Wednesday, September 1, at 6:30pm, via Zoom.

"Our concern for everyone’s safe enjoyment of the holiday has to outweigh our palpable desire to gather in person and in solidarity again," said SMLC President Doug Born. "We apologize for any disappointment or inconvenience."

Maine Senate President Troy Jackson and Maine’s Commissioner of Labor Laura Fortman will both address the council at the meeting as honored guests. Additionally, Southern Maine Worker’s Center will hold a Labor-and-the-Political-Economy trivia game to test what you know between all our various speakers.

Please register for the meeting HERE.

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