Labor Civics! Canvass team, union members Get Behind the Scenes Look at Legislative Process

Following the 2024 elections last November, union members who were part of our Labor 2024 canvass team asked for more training on the legislative process in order to be better prepared to work on future campaigns. This idea gave birth to the Labor Civics Cohort, which held its first session at the State House on Tuesday, April 29.

26 union members from 11 different unions attended the day-long training at the Capitol. In the morning, participants heard from union legislators Rep. Matt Beck (IBEW 1837), Rep. Kilton Webb (IBEW 567), and Senator Mike Tipping (MSEA-SEIU) for a “real talk” behind the scenes look at serving in elected office and what really happens at the State House. They learned more about the many steps and long process for an idea to become a bill and for a bill to become a law, and discussed the ways that unions and citizens can participate in and shape the outcomes.

Members then shadowed legislators for the time leading up to the start of the legislative session for the day, and then struck out with fierce competition on a State House scavenger hunt, which led them to find important places in the building that they would use when organizing and lobbying on a bill. Participants were recognized in the House of Representatives chambers, sat in on a public hearing in the Labor Committee, and discussed labor history.

The Labor Civics Cohort will come together three more times this year. If you or someone in your local is interested in participating, please reach out to Adam at adam@maineaflcio.org.