MECEP & Scontras Center to Hold Briefing on “State of Working Maine” — Thurs. Dec. 14

The Maine Center for Economic Policy and the Dr. Charles A. Scontras Center for Labor and Community Education will be holding a briefing for people in the labor movement on MECEP’s 2023 State of Working Maine report on Thursday, December 14 at noon over Zoom.

Register here to attend

This year's “State of Working Maine” report focuses on a major challenge facing our state: the shortage of workers in essential jobs, like child care, elder care and other critical positions that are increasingly going unfilled. With the crisis projected to get worse, what solutions and concrete policies can boost workforce participation? What role does the labor movement play in addressing this challenge and ensuring job growth also means growth in quality union jobs?  

Labor leaders, rank-and-file members, and workers across the state are invited to read the report, ask questions, and participate in our briefing via Zoom on Thursday, December 14 at noon.

As any working Mainer knows, times have been tough after years of the pandemic and inflation.  According to a new report by the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP),one of the biggest challenge facing Maine’s economy is the state’s "plateauing workforce.” 

“In 2003, approximately 3 percent of jobs in Maine were unfilled — today the share has almost doubled to more than 6 percent," according to the 2023 State of Working Maine report. "Over the past 20 years, the number of Mainers in the workforce has increased by just 6 percent, way below the national workforce growth of 20 percent. Maine Department of Labor projects the workforce will actually shrink by almost 78,000 people over the next decade.”  

So, how is the state of Maine going to boost labor force participation, attract new workers to the state, and address the barriers that workers face in getting into and staying in the labor force?  Addressing barriers to employment is key.

“This year’s State of Working Maine report shows how we can advance policies that help make work dignified — like access to child care, healthcare, and housing — while creating a thriving economy for all Mainers,” says James Myall, an Economic Policy Analyst at MECEP and author of the 2023 report.  

Using facts and figures along with personal stories from special education teachers, nurses, delivery drivers, and new Mainers and others, the State of Working Maine 2023 describes “Maine’s need for more workers” and what we can do about it.  

Briefing for the Labor Movement: Thurs. Dec. 14

MECEP has partnered with the newly launched Scontras Center for Labor and Community Education to brief the labor movement on the report. Union leaders, rank-and-file members, and workers across the state are invited to read the report, ask questions, and participate in a Briefing for the Labor Movement via Zoom on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 12pm. Participants will hear from the author of the report James Myall, workers directly impacted by these challenges, and will have opportunities to discuss ways forward for our state.  

“This is such a great opportunity for workers, union members and union leaders to get a grasp of what’s happening in Maine’s economy,” shared Maine AFL-CIO president Cynthia Phinney, join us “in a conversation geared toward workers’ interests with the support of the excellent research and analysis of MECEP.”

Similarly, “log on and listen,” suggests Brandi, a restaurant worker, organizer, and parent, who was featured in the 2022 report. By participating in events such as these workers can “get a sense of hope if not find ways to do something about our economic problems and working conditions.”    

Register to join the briefing to receive a copy of the Zoom link for the event. And any questions you would like to see addressed can be submitted to scontrascenter@maine.edu (please submit all questions by Tuesday, December 12, 2023).