Summary of Maine AFL-CIO Scored Bills

LD 65: “Right to Work” for Less

“An Act To Ensure the Right To Work without Payment of Dues or Fees to a Labor Union as a Condition of Employment”

Maine AFL-CIO Opposed

Senate Roll Call #391 – House Roll Call #32

Final Outcome: Defeated

So called “Right to Work” laws are designed to weaken unions and drive down wages and working conditions. Under such laws, workers can contribute nothing to a union, yet gain all the benefits and full representation.

Currently in Maine, unions and employers can negotiate contracts where all workers who benefit from a collective bargaining agreement share in the costs of bargaining and representation. Under federal law, no worker is required to join a union, but unions have a duty of fair representation to represent all workers in a bargaining unit, whether they are members or not. LD 65 would make it illegal for employers and employees in both the public and private sector to agree that all workers who benefit from a collective bargaining agreement share in the costs. The Legislature defeated this bill with bipartisan opposition.

LD 66: Union-Busting

“An Act To Prohibit Public Employers from Acting as Collection Agents for Labor Unions”

Maine AFL-CIO Opposed

Senate Roll Call #336 – House Roll Call #322

Final Outcome: Defeated

Workers use payroll deductions for a variety of purposes – charitable donations, bill and loan payments and paying dues to their union. This process for paying union dues is efficient, used routinely and is subject to bargaining. LD 66 would have forbid union members from paying dues in a 21st century manner – through payroll deduction. This bill was another attempt to weaken unions by making it more difficult to operate.

LD 1553: Union Recertification Elections

“An Act To Protect the Rights of Public Employees To Determine Their Collective Bargaining Agent”

Maine AFL-CIO Opposed

Senate Roll Call #277 -- House Roll Call #320

Final Outcome: Defeated

This bill would have required most public sector unions to hold recertification elections every two years about whether the local union should continue to exist. Unions already have regular elections for officers, stewards and other roles and members vote on union contracts and important decisions.

This bill is the equivalent of holding state elections every two years not about who should represent us in the State Legislature or Congress, but about whether we should have a State Legislature or Congress at all, whether we should have a representative form of government at all. This bill is unnecessary, disruptive and insulting to worker’s intelligence and autonomy. It is little more than a politically motivated effort to weaken unions.

LD 390: State Budget & Tax Fairness Referendum

Senate Roll Call #287 – House Roll Call # 293

In November of 2016, Maine voters passed Question 2 at the ballot. Question 2 asked “Do you want to add a 3% tax on individual Maine taxable income above $200,000 to create a state fund that would provide direct support for student learning in kindergarten through 12th grade public education?”

After passage of Question 2, corporate CEOs and the wealthy hired lobbyists to convince legislators to overturn the will of the voters. The Maine AFL-CIO supported the House and Senate budget votes scored here that respected the will of the voters and upheld the tax fairness portion of the referendum by keeping the 3% surcharge on income above $200,000 in law. We are deeply disappointed that the will of the voters was ultimately overturned and that the wealthiest 2% in Maine were given a massive tax break.

LD 1441: Veterans Bill

“An Act To Create Veteran-friendly Workplaces”

Maine AFL-CIO Supported

Senate Roll Call #253 – House Roll Call # 385

Final Outcome: Defeated (Passed by Legislature, Vetoed by Governor)

Too often veterans returning to the workforce cannot attend necessary medical appointments because they do not have sufficient sick leave or vacation. Military service comes with risks, and we believe that integrating back into the workforce shouldn’t come at the expense of a veteran’s physical and mental health.

LD 1441 was brought forward by union veterans. The bill would have made it easier for veterans to attend medical appointments at VA medical facilities by guaranteeing either leave or paid sick time. Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed this bill and the House of Representatives did not override the Governor’s veto.

LD 591: Yield to Bus

An Act To Require Motorists To Yield to Transit Buses”

Maine AFL-CIO Supported

House Roll Call #223 – Senate Roll Call #341

Final Outcome: Defeated (Passed by Legislature, Vetoed by Governor)

Transit bus drivers who are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 714 brought forward LD 591. When a transit bus pulls over to drop off or pick up riders, they often have a difficult time re-entering traffic because motorists do not let them back onto the road. This is dangerous because cars attempt to speed past buses and the drivers often have to slam on their brakes, which has resulted in injuries to passengers and motorists. It also causes the bus to fall behind schedule, which is bad for working people who depend on public transportation to run on time.

LD 591 would have given right of way to a transit bus that indicates it is merging back into traffic, requiring motorists to yield. Despite bi-partisan support, Gov. LePage vetoed the bill and the Senate failed to override the veto. Members of ATU 714 worked very hard to pass Yield to Bus and will be back in the future to try again.

LD 182: Ban on toxic flame retardants

“An Act To Protect Firefighters by Establishing a Prohibition on the Sale and Distribution of New Upholstered Furniture Containing Certain Flame-retardant Chemicals”

Maine AFL-CIO Supported

House Roll Call #443 – Senate Roll Call #430

Final Outcome: Passed into Law

Firefighters are getting cancer at rates significantly higher than the general public, and it is directly linked to the burning toxic chemicals they breathe in when fighting fires. These toxic flame retardants are used in upholstered furniture, but have been proven to not actually slow the spread of fires. LD 182 bans the sale of upholstered furniture in Maine that contains these toxic flame retardants beginning in 2018.

The Professional Firefighters of Maine mobilized hundreds of their members, and the bill passed with wide margins in both chambers. Although Governor LePage vetoed LD 182, the Legislature sided with the firefighters and overrode the veto.

LD 1609: Minimum Wage Referendum Repeal

“An Act to Support Maine’s Employers and Encourage Employers to Hire Young Workers”

LD 673: Subminimum Wage for Tipped Workers

An Act To Restore the Tip Credit to Maine’s Minimum Wage Law”

Maine AFL-CIO Opposed LD 1609 & LD 673

House Roll Call #302 (LD 673) and #305 (LD 1609) • Senate Roll Call #246 (LD 673) and #292 (LD 1609)

Final Outcome: LD 673 Passed into Law. LD 1609 Defeated.

The Maine AFL-CIO developed and supported the minimum wage referendum because the costs of housing, food and other necessities have gone up for years while wages have remained stagnant. In November of 2016, more than 420,000 Mainers – 56% of voters – voted to raise wages for working families, tie increases starting in 2021 to the cost of living, and phase out the subminimum minimum wage for tipped workers.

Unfortunately, some legislators tried to overturn the voter approved referendum. LD 1609 would have lowered the minimum wage approved by voters and eliminated the annual cost of living adjustment to the minimum wage. LD 673 repealed the voter approved part of the referendum that ensured tipped workers a regular base wage plus tips. LD 673 passed the Legislature and was signed into law by the Governor. LD 1609 died between the House and Senate.

LD 1358: Public Sector Binding Arbitration

An Act To Improve Public Sector Labor Relations”

Maine AFL-CIO Supported

Senate Roll Call #304 – No House Roll Call

Final Outcome: Defeated

The collective bargaining process seeks to address the fundamental power imbalance between a large employer and an individual worker. For that system to work there needs to be a fair set of rules. Current public sector labor law tilts the rules against workers by not allowing public sector workers the right to strike and by not having binding arbitration on economic issues in the public sector. This means that even after an arbitration decision a public sector employer can simply impose on economic issues.

This bill sought to level the bargaining playing field by making arbitration binding on economic issues like salary, insurances and retirement. This would improve bargaining and outcomes for all.

LD 1382: Responsible Contractor

“An Act To Require Responsible Contracting on Public Construction Projects”

Maine AFL-CIO Supported

No Senate Roll Call – House Roll Call # 289

Final Outcome: Defeated

Responsible contracting laws require that publicly funded construction projects meet certain community benefit standards - such as participation in registered apprenticeship programs to train the next generation of our workforce, following state prevailing wage rates to ensure fair pay, implementing local hire provisions to benefit our community as well as mandating a contractor’s proven and clean record on law compliance – in an effort to protect the state’s investment in our people along with promoting high quality construction and development.

LD 1382 established responsible contractor requirements for publicly funded construction projects that receive state funds in excess of $50,000. The bill passed along party lines in the House and failed in the Senate.

Legislators

Maine Senate

14Shenna Bellows of Manchester (D)100%
20Eric Brakey of Auburn (R)0%
25Catherine Breen of Falmouth (D)100%
2Michael Carpenter of Houlton (D)E89%
24Brownie Carson of Harpswell (D)100%
31Justin Chenette of Saco (D)100%
27Benjamin Chipman of Portland (D)100%
34Ronald Collins of Wells (R)20%
10Andre Cushing of Hampden (R)10%
16Scott Cyrway of Benton (R)50%
4Paul Davis of Sangerville (R)E33%
32Susan Deschambault of Biddeford (D)90%
26William Diamond of Windham (D)80%
5James Dill of Old Town (D)90%
28Mark Dion of Portland (D)90%
13Dana Dow of Waldoboro (R)40%
9Geoffrey Gratwick of Bangor (D)100%
19James Hamper of Oxford (R)10%
35Dawn Hill of Cape Neddick (D)80%
1Troy Jackson of Allagash (D)100%
15Roger Katz of Augusta (R)50%
18Lisa Keim of Dixfield (R)E11%
7Brian Langley of Ellsworth (R)E22%
21Nathan Libby of Lewiston (D)E100%
6Joyce Maker of Calais (R)20%
22Garrett Mason of Lisbon Falls (R)10%
29Rebecca Millett of South Portland (D)100%
12David Miramant of Camden (D)100%
8Kimberley Rosen of Bucksport (R)30%
17Thomas Saviello of Wilton (R)60%
11Michael Thibodeau of Winterport (R)10%
23Eloise Vitelli of Arrowsic (D)100%
30Amy Volk of Scarborough (R)E22%
3Rodney Whittemore of Skowhegan (R)E11%
33David Woodsome of N. Waterboro (R)50%

Maine House of Representatives

82Kent Ackley of Monmouth (C)A90%
138Robert Alley of Beals (D)E89%
107Betty Austin of Skowhegan (D)90%
67Susan Austin of Gray (R)10%
8Christopher Babbidge of Kennebunk (D)100%
14Donna Bailey of Saco (D)90%
35Dillon Bates of Westbrook (D)90%
33Kevin Battle of South Portland (I)AAA60%
93Pinny Beebe-Center of Rockland (D)100%
55Seth Berry of Bowdoinham (D)100%
63Bruce Bickford of Auburn (R)10%
114Russell Black of Wilton (R)E22%
3Lydia Blume of York (D)A80%
80Richard Bradstreet of Vassalboro (R)20%
61Heidi Brooks of Lewiston (D)100%
24Mark Bryant of Windham (D)100%
130Richard Campbell of Orrington (R)40%
127Barbara Cardone of Bangor (D)90%
94Owen Casás of Rockport (I)80%
68Richard Cebra of Naples (R)20%
46Paul Chace of Durham (R)A10%
133Ralph Chapman of Brooksville (U)100%
42Benjamin Collings of Portland (D)100%
47Janice Cooper of Yarmouth (D)100%
25Patrick Corey of Windham (R)20%
128Garrel Craig of Brewer (R)20%
49Matthea Daughtry of Brunswick (D)100%
52Jennifer DeChant of Bath (D)90%
45Dale Denno of Cumberland (D)90%
90Michael Devin of Newcastle (D)EEEEAEE75%
72Kathleen Dillingham of Oxford (R)AAA20%
85Donna Doore of Augusta (D)100%
121Robert Duchesne of Hudson (D)90%
122Michelle Dunphy of Old Town (D)90%
65Ellie Espling of New Gloucester (R)0%
37Richard Farnsworth of Portland (D)100%
111Bradlee Farrin of Norridgewock (R)AAAE11%
66Jessica Fay of Raymond (D)90%
11Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford (D)90%
7Robert Foley of Wells (R)20%
100Kenneth Fredette of Newport (R)AA0%
124Aaron Frey of Bangor (D)90%
59Roger Fuller of Lewiston (D)100%
34Drew Gattine of Westbrook (D)A90%
20Karen Gerrish of Lebanon (R)20%
48Sara Gideon of Freeport (D)90%
98James Gillway of Searsport (R)20%
69Phyllis Ginzler of Bridgton (R)10%
60Jared Golden of Lewiston (D)A90%
83Gay Grant of Gardiner (D)90%
118Chad Grignon of Athens (R)EEEEEE25%
12Martin Grohman of Biddeford (D)A70%
102Stacey Guerin of Glenburn (R)AA0%
101David Haggan of Hampden (R)20%
32Scott Hamann of South Portland (D)A90%
58James Handy of Lewiston (D)100%
142Sheldon Hanington of Lincoln (R)A10%
87Jeffery Hanley of Pittston (R)10%
36Denise Harlow of Portland (I)100%
19Matthew Harrington of Sanford (R)40%
113Lance Harvell of Farmington (R)AA10%
89Stephanie Hawke of Boothbay Harbor (R)A10%
117Frances Head of Bethel (R)20%
97Erin Herbig of Belfast (D)90%
73Lloyd Herrick of Paris (R)A20%
81Craig Hickman of Winthrop (D)100%
120Norman Higgins of Dover-Foxcroft (R)40%
76Gary Hilliard of Belgrade (R)A10%
13George Hogan of Old Orchard Beach (D)90%
135Brian Hubbell of Bar Harbor (D)90%
4Patricia Hymanson of York (D)A80%
145Chris Johansen of Monticello (R)0%
41Erik Jorgensen of Portland (D)AAA60%
22Jonathan Kinney of Limington (R)10%
99MaryAnne Kinney of Knox (R)E22%
125Victoria Kornfield of Bangor (D)90%
134Walter Kumiega of Deer Isle (D)90%
2Mark Lawrence of Eliot (D)A90%
137Lawrence Lockman of Amherst (R)E0%
109Thomas Longstaff of Waterville (D)90%
132Louis Luchini of Ellsworth (D)90%
129Peter Lyford of Eddington (R)10%
110Colleen Madigan of Waterville (D)90%
115John Madigan of Rumford (D)100%
136Richard Malaby of Hancock (R)AA20%
16Donald Marean of Hollis (R)EEE29%
151Roland Martin of Sinclair (D)100%
150John Martin of Eagle Lake (D)100%
56Gina Mason of Lisbon (R)10%
18Anne-Marie Mastraccio of Sanford (D)90%
148David McCrea of Fort Fairfield (D)90%
51Joyce McCreight of Harpswell (D)100%
149Carol McElwee of Caribou (R)A10%
27Andrew McLean of Gorham (D)90%
62Gina Melaragno of Auburn (D)100%
30Kimberly Monaghan of Cape Elizabeth (D)90%
38Matthew Moonen of Portland (D)100%
78Catherine Nadeau of Winslow (D)90%
5Beth O'Connor of Berwick (R)10%
15Margaret O'Neil of Saco (D)90%
23Lester Ordway of Standish (R)A10%
6Jennifer Parker of South Berwick (D)90%
10Wayne Parry of Arundel (R)10%
77Michael Perkins of Oakland (R)AAA10%
140Anne Perry of Calais (D)EA89%
108John Picchiotti of Fairfield (R)20%
116Richard Pickett of Dixfield (R)20%
53Jeffrey Pierce of Dresden (R)AE33%
44Teresa Pierce of Falmouth (D)90%
86Matthew Pouliot of Augusta (R)50%
17Dwayne Prescott of Waterboro (R)20%
31Lois Reckitt of South Portland (D)A90%
103Roger Reed of Carmel (R)0%
74Christina Riley of Jay (D)A80%
1Deane Rykerson of Kittery (D)100%
21Heidi Sampson of Alfred (R)20%
43Heather Sanborn of Portland (D)90%
88Deborah Sanderson of Chelsea (R)E0%
126John Schneck of Bangor (D)A80%
9Stedman Seavey of Kennebunkport (R)10%
64Bettyann Sheats of Auburn (D)100%
144Roger Sherman of Hodgdon (R)20%
91Abden Simmons of Waldoboro (R)20%
28Heather Sirocki of Scarborough (R)10%
112Thomas Skolfield of Weld (R)10%
92John Spear of South Thomaston (D)90%
143Stephen Stanley of Medway (D)90%
119Paul Stearns of Guilford (R)A30%
105Joel Stetkis of Canaan (R)0%
147Harold Stewart of Presque Isle (R)10%
106Scott Strom of Pittsfield (R)10%
95Paula Sutton of Warren (R)0%
39Michael Sylvester of Portland (D)E100%
40Rachel Talbot Ross of Portland (D)100%
54Denise Tepler of Topsham (D)100%
26Maureen Terry of Gorham (D)100%
79Timothy Theriault of China (R)30%
75Jeffrey Timberlake of Turner (R)20%
123Ryan Tipping of Orono (D)E100%
50Ralph Tucker of Brunswick (D)100%
139William Tuell of East Machias (R)30%
141Beth Turner of Burlington (R)A0%
29Karen Vachon of Scarborough (R)20%
70Nathan Wadsworth of Hiram (R)20%
104Raymond Wallace of Dexter (R)10%
131Karleton Ward of Dedham (R)AAA10%
84Charlotte Warren of Hallowell (D)90%
146Dustin White of Washburn (R)0%
71Tom Winsor of Norway (R)10%
57Stephen Wood of Greene (R)20%
96Stanley Zeigler of Montville (D)100%