IN THIS EDITION:
- Bates Workers organization Files Charges Against Bates College for Unfair Labor Practices
- Union Contractor Wins Bid on NECEC Project, More Jobs for Union Workers
- Lobstering Union Granted Emergency Motion to Halt Closure of Fishing Grounds
- Baxter School Workers Reach TA with Raises & Worker Protections
- Go Union This Halloween!
- Pete McLaughlin, Business Manager of IBEW 2327 Retires
- MSEA-SEIU Members Re-elect President Dean Staffieri & VP Allison Perkins
- Last Chance to Register for Convention Awards Night!
Bates Workers File Charges Against Bates College for Illegally Threatening Workers Organizing
Last Monday, Bates employees who are part of the Bates Educators & Staff Organization (BESO) filed Unfair Labor Practice charges against Bates College with the National Labor Relations Board. The board charges are based on evidence that the Bates administration illegally threatened employees with adverse consequences, such as the loss of benefits and termination, and that the Bates administration imposed a discriminatory no-solicitation rule to prevent employees from exercising their legal right to unionize. Over the coming weeks, the NLRB will launch an investigation into the charges.
Despite this illegal anti-union behavior from the Bates administration, Bates educators and staff are determined to build their union for respect, equity, and a voice at work.
“All we’ve ever wanted was the space to have open and honest conversations with our colleagues about the things we love about Bates and the things we want to see changed,” said Olivia Orr, Web Designer at Bates and BESO organizer. “These violations of our rights make it really hard to do this, and run contrary to the Bates administration’s stated commitment to 'free inquiry and open discourse' during our effort. We've had some really amazing conversations all across campus since this began, and are building relationships across departments that make the College a stronger and more welcoming place. But this requires a work environment free from misinformation and intimidation.”
Threatening adverse consequences such as discipline, termination, or loss of benefits for union activity, whether the union activity occurred during or off work-time, is illegal under Section 7 & 8(a)(3) and (1) of the National Labor Relations Act.
According to long-established legal precedent, employers cannot discriminate against and prohibit union solicitation while permitting civic solicitation activity. The college has not broadly enforced its solicitation policy in the past for matters such as selling girl scout cookies, asking someone to attend an event, or sign a petition. Selectively doing so in response to union activity is illegal.
The board charges reaffirm Bates educators and staff-members’ call on the Bates administration to remain neutral, a call that students, alumni, faculty and the community have joined. Please take a moment to support these courageous workers by signing the community petition asking the administration to remain neutral in the union election and joining the Friends of Bates Educators and Staff Facebook group.
Union Contractor Wins Bid on NECEC Project, Providing More Jobs for Union Workers, Vote NO on 1
More union members will be hired to the work on the New England Clean Energy Connecttransmission project with IBEW signatory contractor ES Boulos recently winning the final bid to build substation upgrades in Wiscasset, Windsor, Lewiston, and Pownal. Together with its work in the West Forks/Moxie Gore area on the underground Kennebec River crossing, the total value of this portion of the project is worth approximately $20 million.
The award will bring the total number of Maine construction unions working on the project to five — IBEW Locals 104, 567, 1253, Operating Engineers (IUOE) 4 and Laborers (LIUNA) 327. Together these five unions represent over 1600 Mainers whose livelihoods depend on important infrastructure construction projects such as the NECEC for employment, good health insurance and retirement benefits.
As with any large infrastructure project, some members will move into retirement, opening the door for the next generation of Apprentices. They will be provided with the necessary training and skills to have long and successful careers in the construction industry.
However, the NECEC project is facing its largest hurdle yet: Question One on the November ballot.
As with any referendum Question, the wording on this ballot question has created confusion, but just to be clear we urge you to VOTE NO on ONE to defeat the referendum and allow construction to continue on the NECEC Corridor.
Maine Lobstering Union Granted Emergency Motion to Halt Closure of Fishing Grounds
The Maine Lobstering Union (IAM 207) has won emergency relief to stop the impending closure of productive lobster waters off the coast of Maine. Injunctive relief was granted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine on Saturday, October 16.
The closure would have impacted a large area of prime lobstering territory. Lobster fishing constitutes a much larger part of Maine’s economy than it does for any other Atlantic state.
Joining the MLU as plaintiffs in the case are the Fox Island Lobster Company of Vinalhaven and Frank Thompson, a sixth-generation fisherman, who, together with his wife Jean, own and operate Fox Island; and the Damon Family Lobster Company of Stonington. The lawsuit was filed by the Portland, Maine law firm of McCloskey, Mina, Cunniff & Frawley, LLC
“This victory by the Maine Lobstering Union is a significant step in protecting one of Maine’s most precious industries - lobstering,” said Alfred Frawley, the attorney who represented the Maine Lobstering Union in the case. “Our lobstermen have put generations of time, effort, and substantial financial resources into their craft. The lobstering industry is not only a treasure to Maine but a treasure to our American history. Allegedly, the regulations proposed by federal agencies would have had a chilling impact on communities throughout Maine. We will continue to push for science and data that reflect what is truly happening in our industry.”
Baxter School Employees Reach Tentative Contract Agreement with Raises & Worker Protections
After a grueling, six-month contract fight, MSEA/SEIU 1989 members at the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing have reached a tentative agreement that includes pay raises and significant improvements in their working conditions. The deadline for members to vote on the new contract is October 27th.
Union members say one of the most important wins is specific contract language that protects employees based on hearing level, communication modality and body weight from abuse in the workplace.
"Given the diversity in communication approaches among our staff, it was critical for our members to have language in our contract ensuring that all staff were treated fairly regardless of their hearing levels or the communication modality they use," said Katie Duncan, an educational audiologist and MSEA member.
She said another major win is MOA that includes the ability of staff to work from home.
"Our staff made a near-instant switch to working from home at the beginning of the pandemic, and did an amazing job continuing their support of children and families virtually," said Duncan. "Learning that many of our outreach jobs can be completed effectively and efficiently from home, our membership felt it was important to fight for the right to continue the practice through the remainder of the pandemic and beyond. We are excited to trial this through a well-written and fair MOA."
She added that the negotiation team also "demonstrated a show of solidarity with the ed techs" in taking a slight decrease in the level of pay raises for year one in order to ensure the ed techs receive a fair pay increase overall.
In addition, the new tentative agreement includes the following gains:
- A 1.65% across the board wage increase for 2021 & a 1.65% increase in 2022 for staff in the support bargaining unit
- Professional staff receive a 1.9% wage increase for 2021 & a 2% increase in 2022
- Ten days of paid parental leave for all workers after a year of employment
- The addition of two paid personal days for all workers
- Improvements to the mileage reimbursement policy that benefits staff
- Paid time and half for maintenance crew on storm closure days
- Hourly stipends for trade certifications
- Paid vacation for educational technicians
- $500 per year snack budget during storm days for maintenance workers.
- Year-round employees may now work remotely during storms and more!
Go Union This Halloween!
Pete McLaughlin, Business Manager of IBEW 2327 Retires
Congratulations to brother Pete McLaughlin, who has officially retired as Business Manager of IBEW 2327 after a distinguished thirty-eight year career in the trade. Pete has been an IBEW Local 2327 member since June 1, 1983 when he was hired as an installation and repair technician for New England Telephone. He then went on to become a cable splicer, head lineworker and IBEW Local 2327 safety coach. He became IBEW 2327 Assistant Business Manager in 1999 has been the local's Business Manager since 2001.
Pete has been a staunch advocate for workers as he has fought to protect their interests and improve working conditions. He led his union admirably through some extraordinarily difficult times, including the 131-day Fairpoint strike in 2014 and 2015, and the most recent round of contract negotiations with Consolidated Communications. We wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.
Maine Service Employees Association Re-elect President Dean Staffieri and MSEA-SEIU Vice President Allison Perkins
On October 15, members of the Maine Service Employees Association, SEIU Local 1989 re-elected MSEA-SEIU President Dean Staffieri and MSEA-SEIU Vice President Allison Perkins to new, two-year terms effective January 1, 2022.
Staffieri and Perkins ran uncontested for reelection during the union’s 78th Annual Meeting in which delegates celebrated numerous contract victories in bargaining units that include all three branches of Maine State Government, the Maine Community College System, Governor Baxter School for the Deaf and Planned Parenthood in Maine. Staffieri noted State of Maine Executive Branch workers made progress with the administration of Governor Janet Mills in addressing the state employee pay gap.
Delegates also celebrated legislative victories that included passing a responsible state budget and enacting legislation protecting state workers from harmful substances, improving the retirement disability system at the Maine Public Employees Retirement System and protecting workers and the public when considering privatization proposal for state services.
Staffieri, of Naples, works as a rehabilitation counselor II for the Maine Department of Labor. A public servant with over 30 years of state service, he previously worked as a child protective caseworker supervisor for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. A state employee since 2013, Perkins, of Cornville, works as an overpayment specialist for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Last Chance to Register for Convention Awards Night!
It's not too late to register to attend the Maine AFL-CIO Convention Awards Night on Tuesday, October 26, at 6pm. The Tuesday evening portion of the convention will feature a panel of recent worker organizing and contract victories plus a stellar set of award winners! Click here to register to join the evening awards banquet email. After registering, you’ll get information to join the event. See you there!