MDOL Convenes Stakeholder Group to Address Forced Overtime in the Paper Industry

PHOTO: MDOL, mill workers (USW) and paper company management meet on Zoom to discussed forced overtime.

Earlier this month, the Maine Department of Labor convened a stakeholder group with paper mill workers and employers to talk about high levels of forced overtime at paper mills in Maine. United Steelworkers leaders at the state’s paper mills have been putting positive pressure on their employers through Senate President Troy Jackson’s legislation, LD 1794, that would place limits on forced overtime in the paper industry.

Maine paper mills are increasingly mandating overtime — forcing workers to work longer hours and multiple shifts in a row. It’s not uncommon at certain mills for mill workers to complete a twelve-hour shift and be forced to work another immediate twelve hours of overtime. Another common situation is a worker being required to work multiple consecutive days where they have to work eighteen hour shifts.

Last year, the Labor and Housing Committee voted to carry over LD 1794 to this year’s legislative session to provide time for union workers and paper companies to find solutions to address this abusive practice that is taking a major toll on workers and their families. The proposal would limit forced overtime to a maximum of two hours beyond a regular shift each day. It would also require seven days advance notice to mandate someone for overtime and protect vacation time by preventing companies from mandating people work overtime on approved vacation time, floater days and holidays.

Stay tuned for updates on this critical workplace safety legislation!