The proposed Maine Republican Party platform makes passing union busting “right-to-work” legislation a key priority. As the Maine Beacon reports, the proposal was put forward by the group’s Standing Resolutions Committee at the end of September and will be considered for approval at the 2022 Maine Republican Party Convention in late April.
Right to work for less laws are designed by corporations to make it much harder for unions to bargain for better wages and working conditions because they allow workers in union shops to get most of the benefits of unions without paying any dues. These laws make it illegal for employers and employees to agree that all workers who benefit from a collective bargaining agreement share in the costs of bargaining and representation.
Current Maine law allows private sector unions and employers to negotiate contracts where all workers who benefit from a collective bargaining agreement share in the costs of bargaining and representation. RTW laws make it illegal for employers and employees to agree that all workers who benefit from a collective bargaining agreement share in the costs. The Maine Legislature and Maine voters at the ballot box have defeated RTW numerous times during the 74 years since the anti-union Taft-Hartley Act was rammed through Congress.
The draft GOP platform states that these anti-worker laws “stimulate economic growth,” even though this argument has been repeatedly debunked. On the contrary, numerous studies have proven that workers in RTW states earn less, have worse benefits and less safe working conditions because unions are weaker there.
Former Governor Paul LePage, who is once again running for Governor, strongly supports RTW legislation and has vowed to make passing this legislation a priority if he is elected next year.