Federal workers in Maine will join in nationwide protests Saturday against what they call President Donald Trump’s union-busting policies. Trump has signed an executive order to restrict collective bargaining for two-thirds of the federal workforce, claiming they are a national security risk. Andy O’Brien, communications director for the Maine AFL-CIO, called it the most egregious attack on workers’…
Guests Andy O’Brien of the Maine AFL-CIO and Lisa Margulies of Planned Parenthood join guest-host Mike Tipping to discuss the results of this week’s primary and municipal elections. From the flipping of an anti-trans school board to the ousting of Democratic incumbent Bruce White in Waterville by Cassie Julia, progressive candidates had a good election.…
A bill supported by Gov. Janet Mills to make farmworkers subject to the state minimum wage would be a significant step toward rectifying a historical wrong, labor advocates say, but still would leave them as second-class workers in other regards. LD 2273, a bill introduced by House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland) on behalf of…
The National Labor Relations Board, the federal panel that enforces U.S. labor law, says Starbucks must reopen its location in Portland’s Old Port that the chain closed in 2022 after baristas voted to unionize. The NLRB announced on Wednesday that it is seeking to force the company to reopen 23 stores nationwide, including the Old…
This week on the podcast, we revisit a panel discussion Maine People’s Alliance Senior Organizer Esther Pew hosted one year ago featuring Senior Vice President of Public Affairs of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England Nicole Clegg, Maine AFL-CIO President Cynthia Phinney and Maine Women’s Lobby Executive Director Destie Hohman Sprague. They discuss what full…
Environmental and labor groups praised Gov. Janet Mills on Thursday after she signed into law a bill that adds strong labor standards to a sweeping measure that will shape the buildout of Maine’s budding offshore wind industry. As Beacon previously reported, LD 1895, sponsored by Sen. Mark Lawrence (D-York), is an omnibus bill that lays…
Gov. Janet Mills and labor unions have struck a deal that adds strong labor standards to a sweeping bill that will shape the buildout of Maine’s budding offshore wind industry. The deal potentially resolves a clash between the Democratic governor and labor groups after she vetoed a separate wind energy bill late last month that…
Gov. Janet Mills signed legislation on Tuesday that will bar employers from retaliating against workers who refuse to attend anti-union meetings. Maine now joins Connecticut, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Oregon in cracking down on “captive audience” meetings during union drives. “This new law takes a critical step to better protect Maine workers. This law…
A bill to correct a historic injustice to classify farmworkers as employees under some of the state’s wage and worker protection laws is on its way to the desk of Gov. Janet Mills. The Maine Senate voted 20-12 last week along party lines in favor of LD 398, a bill sponsored by House Speaker Rachel Talbot…
Maine lawmakers failed to overturn a veto by Gov. Janet Mills of a wind energy bill that was amended to include strong labor standards in the hopes of unlocking federal money. The Maine Senate voted 21-11 on Thursday in favor of the bill, but failed to provide the two-thirds support necessary to override the veto.…