Maine AFL-CIO Union Pathways Program Holds Successful Cohort in Portland

Our inaugural pilot session of the Union Pathways program, held in late October in Portland, was a resounding success by all accounts. Our cohort of ten participants included job seekers from a wide range of professional backgrounds who were looking for greater stability and better working conditions as union members. Over the course of our week together they met with union representatives from around the greater Portland region as they learned about the different opportunities available to them and the benefits and responsibilities that come with union membership.

We started the week at the US Postal Service Distribution Center in Scarborough, where participants heard from Traczie Bellinger and John Graham of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 92, Scott Adams of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU 458), and Matt Carroll of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU 301). Through their conversations and a tour of the sorting facilities, the group gained a clearer picture of the jobs available within the Postal Service. They concluded the day by completing applications for their preferred positions with representatives from the USPS HR department, who expressed excitement about the opportunity to connect with job seekers as they recruit for numerous open positions.

Our next session took us to the US Post Office building on Forest Ave. in Portland. However, our focus this time was not on postal careers but on the opportunities within the many Building and Construction Trades unions that are working on major renovations there. Derek Ellis of the Carpenters union serves as a Superintendent of the site for CCB, one of the major union signatory contractors for southern Maine. Derek guided us through the site and explained the roles of the different trades and the ways they work together to finish jobs safely, on time, and under budget. Later in the day the group had the chance to hear more from the Laborers, Carpenters, and Millwrights about how to get into union apprenticeships.

Our next session took us to the US Post Office building on Forest Ave. in Portland. However, our focus this time was not on postal careers but on the opportunities within the many Building and Construction Trades unions that are working on major renovations there. Derek Ellis of Millwrights 1121 serves as a Superintendent of the site for CCB, one of our major union signatory contractors for southern Maine. Derek guided us through the site and explained the roles of the different trades and the ways they work together to finish jobs safely, on time, and under budget. Later in the day the group had the chance to hear more from the Laborers, Carpenters, and Millwrights about how to get into union apprenticeships.

Our Wednesday and Thursday sessions focused on union careers in manufacturing. Alana Schaeffer, President of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Metal Trades Council, talked about what the union had meant to her as a single mother, the many different registered apprenticeship opportunities and her pathway into a leadership role in the union with UA 788 and the Metal Trades Coucil. In Bath, John Stejskal and Jenn Somerville of Machinists Local S6 and Max Lindley of the Bath Marine Draftsman Association (UAW 3999) talked to our group about the sense of pride and responsibility they feel in building ships for our U.S. Navy.

They also discussed the ways that they have built solidarity and strength within their unions, and the ways that union membership has protected them and allowed them to earn better wages and working conditions. We also toured American Roots and Xtreme Screen Printing in Westbrook – two apparel companies that proudly embrace their unions and recognize the benefits they receive in terms of staff morale and retention, as well as brand recognition among union members.

We wrapped up the week with the Stagehands (IATSE 114) at the Cross Insurance Arena, where Local 114 members John York and Eric Sawyer took us behind the scenes to see how they make Mariners hockey games, concerts, and other events come to life. Several of the participants had no previous knowledge of the Stagehands union or several of the other unions that we featured in the program. They expressed excitement about having the chance to learn more about the wide range of union careers available in the Portland area. They also appreciated the opportunity to hear from so many different voices about what it means to be a union member. Labor Education was woven throughout the training. This included sessions on the basics of unions and Labor organizing with Matt Emmick, Director of the Scontras Center, as well as conversations with every presenter about the many ways that union membership had improved their lives.

Following the week of tours and visits, Union Pathways participants have received support with applications, résumé building, and career planning as they map out next steps for entering into their own preferred union careers. We are looking forward to seeing their progress, and building on the success of this first Union Pathways program; we plan to offer additional sessions in other parts of Maine in 2026. If you or your union are interested in getting involved, please fill out our engagement form here.