MDOL Commissioner Prioritizes Labor Law Compliance; Sen. King: “Pass the Damn PRO ACT”

The convention also featured several prominent guests including Senator Angus King, Senate President Troy Jackson, Maine Department of Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman, Maine Director of the Bureau of Labor Standards, Jason Moyer-Lee, and National Labor Relations Board General Counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo.

Senator King’s remarks were brief, but he implored union members to reach out to his office with any questions or concerns about labor issues. He also gave his full-throated support for the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which would restore the right of workers to form unions and collectively bargain free from employer interference and intimidation. King is a co-sponsor of the landmark legislation, which still needs a few more votes in the Senate to be brought to the floor.

“I’ve got five words for you: pass the damn PRO Act,” King told the convention to loud and enthusiastic applause.

Maine Department of Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman delivered a short address emphasizing that her priority is enforcing labor laws, stopping the illegal misclassification of workers and ensuring federal infrastructure funding supports well-paying, safe jobs connected to apprenticeship programs. She noted that her Department has only eight inspectors to enforce the 70 different labor laws on the books for the entire state of Maine, so it’s critical that unions report to her department when they see employers break the law.

“Enforcing labor law is absolutely critical to us at the department and we cannot do that without your help,” said Fortman.

She added that when bad actors are held accountable for breaking labor laws it has a ripple effect across the state in terms of compliance.