Labor Bills Move Forward in Final Week of State Legislative Session

The Maine AFL-CIO has been busy this week as the State Legislature moves to the end of its session. Here's a quick run down on where things stand on key labor priorities. 

LD 1816, our bill to strengthen labor education in Maine sponsored by Speaker Ryan Fecteau, has passed the House and Senate. It is awaiting a vote on funding this Friday. The bill will then have final votes in the House & Senate on Monday. We're optimistic that this bill will be funded and become law this year!

The supplemental budget was passed and signed into law this week. The budget includes a number of important wins — temporary free community college, raises for childcare workers and most importantly significant improvements for retired teachers, state employees and other public sector union members. This is a huge and transformational win for retirees. Stay tuned for a detailed story next week on the retirement and pension provisions in the supplemental budget. 

LD 1724, sponsored by Senator Troy Jackson, a bill to create a tripartite logging dispute resolution board where loggers could resolve labor and employment issues, has passed the House and Senate and is on the Governor's desk. The Maine AFL-CIO has been in close conversation with the Governor's office and remains hopeful this bill will become law. 

We are working hard to better fund and reimburse registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs to open good union careers to more people. LD 177, sponsored by Rep. Scott Cuddy, has passed the House and Senate and awaits final funding. The Maine Lobstering Union (IAM 207) continues to work hard on LD 1916 to help fund the legal costs associated with challenging harmful rope regulations. We are also encouraged to see legislation (LD 2003) advance to help address the housing squeeze working people face. The bill would make it easier to build more workforce housing in Maine.