Maine AFL-CIO -- Employee Free Choice Act Blog

No on Question 4

AFL-CIO National Convention 2009

The 2009 National AFL-CIO Convention in Pittsburgh marked the end of an era and a number of historic changes. After a lifetime of service to the labor movement and 14 years as the AFL-CIO President, John Sweeney graciously stepped down.

Delegates overwhelmingly elected former Secretary Treasurer Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO. At his side Arlene Holt Baker was reelected Executive Vice President. In a historic first Liz Shuler, out of the IBEW, was elected Secretary Treasurer. At 39 years old, she is the youngest officer in AFL-CIO history and the first elected female secretary treasurer.

Another highlight from the convention was the return of UNITE HERE to the AFL-CIO family. "Solidarity will always overcome division, our union will continue to be a strong and growing member in the house of labor." Said John Wilhelm President of the 265,000 strong UNITE HERE. In these trying times working people need to stick together regardless of organization.

The Maine AFL-CIO welcomes the brothers and sisters of UNITE HERE back to the house of labor. What's more we look forward to an even stronger future under new leadership.

Labor Leader Spotlight- Gerry Gay, President IAFF Local 1624

The Sanford Firefighters Associations, Local 1624 IAFF, is comprised of 43 fire fighters and paramedics who do their best to serve the community. Since 1966 the Local has worked to improve emergency services while simultaneously looking out for the safety and well-being of its' membership.

As President of Local 1624, Gerry Gay is helping to lead the fightagainst TABOR II (Question 4) and and the gutting of the auto excise tax(Question 2). If passed, both measures will be devastating to Local 1624 andthe service they provide the community. "Our town manager has made it very clear that there will be reductions" said Gerry. "Gutting the Excise Tax alone will deprive the community an estimated 1.1. million dollars."

The brothers and sisters of Local 1624 have no intention of taking this lying down. Fire fighters and first responders from across the state are gearing up to get the word out to vote no on question 4 and 2 this November. They are informing their friends, family and neighbors through signs and leaflets to make sure that our communities remain safe.

Fire Fighters Stand Up Against Tabor II

John Martell is a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Portland Fire Department. John started his professional career with the Saco Fire Department in 1991 and joined Portland in 1993. He is currently assigned to the Marine Division on E-7 as a pilot/engineer. John has served on Portland Local 740’s executive board, public relations committee, legislative committee and has been active in union business during his entire career. (www.pffmaine.org)

John helped defeat Tabor when it was on the ballot in 2006. He intends to do so again. "We're the boots on the ground" said John at a recent meeting with Southern Maine PFFM leaders. "It's critical that we defeat Tabor and the Excise Tax."

These ballot initiatives will undermine town and city budgets threatening critical services like Fire Departments and EMTs. This not only is a danger to the livelihood of many first responders, it is also a danger to the communities that those first responders serve. The PFF of Maine is especially concerned by the fact that if Tabor II is passed, it will cut funds to the money alloted for death benefits for Fire Fighters and Police Officers that are killed in the line of duty. Fortunately, John Martell and the brothers and sisters of the Professional Fire fighters of Maine aren't going to let that happen.

Photos From Labor Day 09'

There are lots more great photos from events throughout the state here. http://www.starleft.smugmug.com/

After eight long years of minimally enforced labor law, it's very gratifying to say that we finally have a friend as Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board.

Wilma Liebman has long been a friend of labor. She worked as both a staff attorney for the Bricklayers and the Teamsters. She was initially appointed to the NLRB by Clinton in 1997. She has since risen through the ranks and as of January she was appointed by President Barack Obama as Chairman.

At the Southern Maine Labor Council's Labor Day Breakfast Wilma spoke in favor of labor law reform. She argued that the National Labor Relations Act, the current legislation governing unions, needs to be updated.

Later at the Western Maine Labor Council Barbeque she urged the audience to "remain hopeful" and to continue "the fight for economic justice." Her position is a credit to her dedication to a fair and just administration of labor law. It is also a credit to you, for having elected a President that isn't afraid to appoint folks like Wilma.

Bread and Roses Vigil for Employee Free Choice

On Friday September 4th, around 40 workers allies and clergy gathered at Lobsterman Park in Portland to hold a vigil for workers that have been fired or disciplined for trying to form a union. Members of the Bricklayers, IBEW, MSNA, SEIU, Teamsters and others were in attendance.

Every 23 minutes a worker is disciplined or fired for trying to form a union based on NLRB data. This is a travesty that workers wanted to remind Senator Snowe about before she returns to Washington for the fall legislative session.

To change this broken system and to create an economy that works for all Mainers need the Employee Free Choice Act. Senator Snowe is in a postion to help decide this fight and working Mainers sought to make it clear that they deserve not just bread but also roses.

So a delegation of 23 workers crossed the street and crammed into elevators to deliver 23 roses and 23 loaves of bread to the Senator. Though her office did not accept the bread and roses, citing Senate ethics rules, the message was clear- Maine's working families support the Employee Free Choice Act. The clip here features some of the highlight from the vigil including the delivery of the roses and several speakers.

Student With Brain Tumor Calls For Reform

Danielle had good health insurance when she was initially diagnosed with a benign brain tumor because her parents have good union jobs. Now as a college student she is no longer covered. So she pays for insurance that is profoundly inadequate. Insurance that simply does not cover the annual MRI that is so critical to ensuring that her brain tumor does not become lethal.

This clip was taken at an AFSCME rally in Portland Maine, as part of their Highway to Healthcare Tour. If you watch the video it speaks for itself. When we get past the spin of "death panels" and tea-baggers it comes to this, this situation, and the millions like it shouldn't exist. Health care is a right and we must reform the system now