Posts tagged Maine
Workers at Planned Parenthood’s largest affiliate are unionizing, citing Trump cuts
May 13, 2026 // Sotoa said union representation would secure workers' voices in decisions over staffing and resources under threat by the cuts. Planned Parenthood workers at affiliates in Oregon, Maine, Minnesota, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and other parts of California, have already formed unions in response to the Trump administration and the changes they have prompted in their clinics' staffing, pay and workplace conditions.
First-Ever Bargaining Compact Unites Higher Ed Unions Across Northeastern US
May 5, 2026 // Together, they drafted a document called the Amherst Compact. While it is largely aspirational, it commits HELU to working “to coordinate bargaining priorities that raise the floor for workers of all job categories across the most densely-unionized region of the U.S.,” the Northeast. Moreover, the agreement pledges solidarity across job titles, even on campuses where multiple unions represent workers in different employment categories — buildings and grounds; clerical; custodial; food service; research; security; or teaching — and regardless of whether the workers are employed by university hospitals or degree-granting bodies.
Building trades unions emerge as a key ally of tech giants in push for AI data centers
May 4, 2026 // Unions have aggressively answered complaints about data centers in ways that executives at tech giants and the development firms rarely do, unafraid to bluntly confront concerns about energy and water shortages, rising electric and water bills, or noise and quality-of-life objections. “When people say, you know, ‘data centers are the root of all evil,’ we’re just saying, ‘look, they do create a hell of a lot of construction jobs, which we live and work in your communities,'” said Rob Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council.
Pingree, Bellows blast DoD over ending bargaining with shipyard employees
April 22, 2026 // In March of last year, President Donald Trump issued an order indicating that it would be terminating bargaining negotiations with some unionized federal workers, including workers at the shipyard. At the time, the administration cited national defense concerns when issuing the order. This week, various media outlets are reporting that local workers’ unions at the shipyard received a notice on Friday that the U.S. Department of Defense was no longer going to be engaging in bargaining agreements with unionized workers.
Department of Defense ends union agreements at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
April 20, 2026 // The U.S. Department of Defense is terminating collective bargaining agreements for two unions representing workers at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. It's a move union leaders said could have significant impacts on employees. Workers with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and the American Federation of Government Employees said they were notified Friday of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Union presidents said these agreements have long played a critical role in ensuring safe working conditions, fair wages, benefits, and time off for their members. With those protections now ending, many workers are raising concerns about what comes next.
Navy shipbuilder Bath Iron Works reaches deal with union after weeklong strike
March 30, 2026 // “We look forward to working together once again to deliver the Navy’s ships on time to protect our nation and our families,” Bath Iron Works, known for the slogan “Bath built is best built,” said in a statement. The shipyard and the union negotiated for three weeks without resolving differences before the strike began last Monday, Bath Iron Works spokesperson David Hench said.
BIW union on strike after failed contract negotiations
March 24, 2026 // Six weeks ago, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited BIW, encouraging workers to build warships as fast as they can. Some of those workers are now on strike. Members of the Bath Marine Draftsmen Association voted on Sunday to reject the proposed “best and final offer” from General Dynamics and BIW. The strike of more than 600 workers would also extend beyond BIW to other General Dynamics locations across the world.
Maine Considers Setting Minimum Rate of Pay for Rideshare Drivers on Platforms Like Uber and Lyft
January 21, 2026 // At the close of their testimony, the group suggests that lawmakers consider implementing a “portable benefits” program wherein drivers can accrue benefits across multiple platforms without “sacrificing their independent contractor status.” “We share the goal of ensuring that rideshare drivers can earn a fair living,” Chamber of Progress said. “But the evidence is clear: in city after city, minimum pay mandates have backfired by raising prices for riders, compressing earnings for experienced drivers, and degrading service for everyone.”
Iron Workers President Kyle Chasse to Serve 3 Years Probation
January 2, 2026 // On October 7, 2025, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Kyle Chasse, former President of Iron Workers Local 745 (located in Kittery, Maine), was sentenced to three years of probation. Chasse was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,533, a fine of $2,000, and a $1,300 special assessment. On June 26, 2025, Chasse pleaded guilty to 12 counts of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3), respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
Maine police union files complaint against Mills Administration
December 5, 2025 // The filing from the Fraternal Order of Police comes after the largest union for state employees made similar claims in a labor complaint last month.