Committee Rejects Retail Industry Bill to Cut the Minimum Wage

Democrats on the Maine Legislature's Labor Committee voted on Tuesday to reject a bill that would roll back the minimum wage law that Maine voters passed at the ballot box in 2016. LD 206 An Act to Protect Maine Businesses by Eliminating the Automatic Cost-of-living Adjustment to the Minimum Hourly Wage, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Timberlake (R-Androscoggin), would set the minimum wage permanently where it is at $14.65. It would eliminate the annual cost-of-living adjustment for the minimum wage. Republicans on the committee supported the bill.

While most union workers earn wages that are higher than the current minimum wage, the minimum wage cost-of-living adjustments help raise wages for many more workers. As retired Bangor firefighter Ronnie Green, 4th District Vice President for the Professional Firefighters of Maine, testified in 2017:

“I represent firefighters all over the region, and we have starting firefighters/EMTs who are earning less than $12," he said. "In fact, we have starting firefighters with EMT and other certifications, who are doing difficult work and are earning $10.40 an hour or $11 per hour. $10.40 an hour to run into burning buildings and give emergency medical treatment at accidents. They are seeing their wages rise thanks to the minimum wage referendum.”

LD 206 was backed by the Maine Grocers Association and Retail Maine, whose board of directors includes Hannaford, Renys, Best Buy, Walgreens, Marden's, Jordan's Furniture, Union Farm Equipment, Lowe's, Mexicali Blues, Old Port Card Works/Old Port Candy Co., Royal River Natural Foods in Freeport and Target. The Maine Grocers Association's board of directors includes tobacco giant Altria, Brackett's Market in Bath, Rockland chocolate maker Bixby & Co., Country Farms Market in Augusta, Bow Street Market in Freeport, Gowell’s Shop N Save in Litchfield, Connecticut-based Bozzuto’s Inc. Del Conte Sauces in Hancock, Hillside, Mars Hill, & Star City IGA., dairy company H.P. Hood and supermarket chain Food City.