The Portland Press Herald ran a great story last week about the new Scontras Center for Labor and Community Education, which is set to open this fall. The Center will offer free classes and workshops for the members of the public to learn how to organize and lead unions as well as workplace rights, Maine labor history and more. The center will offer trainings, workshops and, eventually, certificate programs.
“It was a need that people have seen for a long time to have a creative space for workers to come together, to learn, to share their experiences with one another and to partner not only with organized workers, but also unorganized workers in the community,” Maine AFL-CIO’s Sarah Bigney McCabe said. “We’re really just thrilled that this dream has finally become a reality. Bringing it to life has been really exciting.”
“The emphasis we have on being really rooted in the surrounding local community is something that is really going to set us apart,” said Matthew Emmick, the center’s executive director. “It’s very important, especially for a group like new Mainers, who are probably overwhelmed from coming to a new country and may not understand all of our systems, who may not understand what their rights are, what’s available to them.”
Read the full story here. You can also hear this excellent interview with Matthew Emmick in the August 15th edition of the WMPG program “Community Voices for Change.”