AUGUSTA, Maine — Lawmakers in the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee have dealt with a number of contentious issues this session, from changes in the workers’ compensation laws to oversight of the Maine State Housing Authority.
But one controversial issue held over from last year is yet to be resolved.
LD 309 is a bill that would alter how public employees unions collect fees from nonmembers. Known as “right to work” legislation in private-sector circles, it’s known as “fair share” when dealing with public employee unions.
State employees are not forced to join a union. But if they benefit from union negotiations on contracts and in labor disputes, they must pay their “fair share,” and those service fees of roughly $6 a week are taken automatically from their wages.
LD 309 would make payment of those service fees voluntary.
The bill broke down mostly along party lines last year, and also enjoyed support from Gov. Paul LePage. The legislative committee held an hours-long public hearing on the bill, which showed up for debate late in the session.
Then, in the waning days of the session, Republican leaders agreed to shelve the bill for a year. Union leaders suggested at the time that the leaders recognized they didn’t have the votes to pass the bill.
Fast-forward to the present. The current session is expected to be done by the middle of next month, and most bills have been reported out of committee to the full Legislature. But LD 309 has not yet had a work session.
Committee leaders have said they’re waiting for Republican leadership to tell them what to do with the bill. Republican leadership has been mostly mum on the subject. House Speaker Robert Nutting, R-Oakfield, had no comment, other than to note through a spokesman that there were a number of bills still waiting in committees, LD 309 included. Likewise, in a statement, Senate President Kevin Raye, R-Perry, wrote, “LD 309 is one of several issues still before the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee.”
Democratic leaders and union officials said they’ve heard little on the bill.
“I personally would like to see the bill voted unanimously ought not to pass in committee,” said Rep. Emily Cain, D-Orono, the House minority leader. “I think it’s been lingering out there causing nothing but strife and angst for working people in Maine. It’s not helpful as we try to focus on job creation and economic development as a state.”
Cain said lawmakers can’t hold the bill for the next session; the next Legislature will be a new one. The bill can be reported out to the full Legislature after a work session, or it could sit in the committee and die at the end of the session, she said.
“It is right now in the hands of Republican leadership to determine the next steps on the bill,” Cain said.
Chris Quint, executive director of the Maine State Employees Association, said he hasn’t heard anything specific on the bill. Union leaders have done vote counts, Quint said, though he wouldn’t discuss specific numbers related to how many people in each body he thought would support or oppose the bill.
“We feel confident in the conversations we’ve been having since last year about this issue that when or if this comes to the fore, that we will be successful,” Quint said.
I dont care how this, or ObumerCare turns out, most will just give the middle finger to those that try and collect…!
I’m fine the way I am, and no dip-stick politician or union bone-head will ever make join, or pay for jack-diddly-squat.
Tell me how you really feel.
So then you think it’s okay for you to take the benefits earned by and for others? Don’t want to join the union? Fine, work for whatever “jack” the employers see fit to give you. And, once again, thank you ever so much for showing your level of intelligence by resorting to name calling to make your point. I hope the day never comes that you need health care and are unable to pay for it or get insurance because of a pre-existing condition (stupidity won’t count, don’t worry). By the way, you may want to get some anger management counselling because you’re close to stroking out.
obviously you never had the balls to say no to a union rep….
I’ve said no to my union rep plenty of times. He works for me and every other brother and sister in the union. He can’t tell me what to do, only ask.
Thats nice, but many “reps” are not so nice
The difference with me is that a “rep” in my past didnt ask so nicely, but I wasnt the one that went to the hospital
You can play in your nice little union sand box, but its not a all sunshine in others, and you are either brainwashed or covering up for others that use rough union tactics
Just say “NO” to union busting.
Notice how the mighty Mississippi is moving to Maine in low wages, healthcare, bigotry, union busting, poverty. Cut those po’ folk befo’ they get too uppity! Can Hayley Barbour and plantations be far behind? Seems to already be in Turner for the egg farm workers. Wait until the vote to remove the minimum wage, folks. Some benefits: Already livin’ on the po’ farm so haven’t got to worry ’bout that. Old ’nuff for “the old man’s friend” to take me out quietly one of these times when no money for meds or doc’.
Of course Emily Cain would be against this; the less money in the hands of the unions translates into less money in Democratic campaign coffers.
No one should ever have to pay a fee for a job.
No one does. They’re paying for the representation they get.
Lot to be concittered here first they would half to do away with equal pay for equal work because why should a non union employee benifit from the union ? the non union person should half to negotiate every thing from there pay to every benifit that they want. Congress should pass a law were if there is a union in the work place that the union will have nothing what so ever to do with the non union people they will be on there own
Replying to flat_lander
{ No one should ever have to pay a fee for a job }
Union dues are not payment for having a job, they are payment for representative services.
No one should ever be denied payment for services rendered!