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I am writing to urge readers to vote for Amy Roeder for state Senate in District 9, which includes Bangor and Hermon). As the state representative for Bangor for the past six years, Amy has worked tirelessly on many important issues, but one that resonates with me personally is her championing of LD 54, a bill requiring wage transparency on job postings.
In 2020, after two years working as a clinical psychologist at Acadia Hospital, I learned I was earning about 60% of what my male counterparts were earning, despite having equal or superior qualifications and experience. In fact all of the women in my department were being paid one lower rate, and the men were earning another, higher rate. I pursued remediation in court, and, after four years, I won my pay equity lawsuit.
This was a painful process that changed my career trajectory in a way I hadn’t planned. Partially as a response to my experience, Rep. Roeder sponsored LD 54, and the bill passed earlier this year. Had this law been in effect when I applied for my job, I would have known the existing pay range for the position, and neither I, nor my employer, would have had to endure a four-year long legal process.
Rep. Roeder has stood up for the rights of women and all workers in many other ways. I believe he is a woman of principal and flawless integrity. I urge you to join me in supporting her for state Senate.
Clare Mundell
Bangor