Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, attends an event, Oct.. 25, 2024, in Lewiston, Maine. Credit: Robert F. Bukaty / AP

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Recently, the United States House of Representatives passed the Protect America’s Workforce Act, legislation sponsored and spearheaded by Maine’s Democratic 2nd District Rep. Jared Golden. Twenty Republicans voted in favor of the bill. No small feat in today’s political climate. Golden worked across the aisle to ensure a bipartisan vote that reaffirms the continued collective bargaining rights of over one million federal workers.

In August, the current administration, by executive order, attempted to remove these rights. This month another attack on union collective bargaining for TSA employees was put forward by the Department of Homeland Security.

I had the privilege of being the president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Maine for 12 years. During that time I worked with Golden in his capacity as a staffer for Sen. Susan Collins, a legislator in the Maine House, and his current role in Washington.

He has been an unwavering supporter of union members and the right to collectively bargain for fair wages and benefits. As the bill moves to the Senate, both Sen. Angus  King and Sen. Collins have signed on as co-sponsors of the legislation. Thank you Rep. Golden for standing with union working families to ensure their collective bargaining rights.

John Martell

Brunswick

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