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MSEA-SEIU Local 1989
65 State Street
PO Box 1072
Augusta, ME 04332-1072
207-622-3151
1-800-452-8794

MAINE STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

SEIU Local 1989


Standing up for healthcare for all Mainers

and opposing Gov. LePage's LD 309


State Senator Troy Jackson thanks the Mainers who packed the State House halls May 15 opposing the Republicans' proposal to take away healthcare from another 21,000 Mainers. On every issue, Senator Jackson has stood up for Maine's working families and retired workers. A member of the Legislature's Labor Committee, Senator Jackson has worked tirelessly to defend Maine's Workers' Compensation System and Maine's unemployment insurance system from legislative attacks this session. He stands up every day to defend the rights of Maine workers, and has shown real leadership in opposing Gov. LePage's harmful LD 309.




State Senator John Patrick shows his appreciation to the Mainers who converged on the State House May 15 in opposition to the Republicans' proposal to take away healthcare from another 21,000 Mainers. Senator Patrick has stood with Maine workers and retired workers on every issue affecting them in the Legislature. Senator Patrick is working tirelessy to defeat Gov. LePage's anti-worker legislation known as LD 309.





Solidarity: Shipbuilder, Retired State Employee, Firefighter.

Thank you to all our members and friends who contacted their legislators over the last few weeks regarding the budget, right to work, workers' comp, and unemployment insurance, and the many other issues affecting our members. Your voices make a great difference in countering the attacks. The Legislature will return to complete its work May 15 when it will resume deliberations on the 2013 DHHS budget.

 

LD 309, the public sector right to work bill, is now on the House calendar, as tabled unassigned. If it is not acted on, it will die upon final adjournment in May. Large numbers of Maine workers contacted their legislators to oppose LD 309. The Maine AFL-CIO organized a labor lobby day and press conference that was attended by over 100 union members and supporters. Within 24 hours the scheduled work session turned into a session in which LD 309 was tabled, without being worked. The House could also move to indefinitely postpone LD 309, which would kill the bill if a majority supports that motion. We must continue our efforts to request our legislators to kill LD 309.

 

Call your State representative and State Senator and RIGHT AWAY and respectfully urge them to kill LD 309. The Maine House toll-free message line is 1-800-423-2900. The Maine Senate toll-free message line is 1-800-423-6900.

Click here to find your legislators.





 From the Desk of President Ginette Rivard

 

 

Click here for President Rivard's column:
"Your phone calls, emails to legislators make the difference"

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Latest News Stories and Feature Links

 

Republicans in the Maine Legislature do Gov. LePage's bidding - they cut healthcare for over 21,000 Mainers, ended prescription drug coverage for 1,500 Mainers, cut funding for Head Start by $2 million, and reduced family planning services for Mainers - all the while putting $34 million in new tax breaks on the state's credit card

 

Mourning the deaths of MSEA-SEIU member Samantha Davis-Gay and her husband, Skip

 

Maine beats New Hampshire in head-to-head battle for taxpayers and their income. So why is Gov. LePage still claiming that Maine's income taxes are forcing Mainers out of state?

 

 

When push comes to shove

 

Thank you, George Burgoyne, for your service on the MSEA-SEIU Board of Directors! Our MSEA-SEIU Board of Directors has accepted, with regret, the resignation of MSEA-SEIU Retiree Director George Burgoyne. George took this action so he can continue his good work as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System. We thank George for all of his advocacy on behalf of Maine workers and retired workers.

 

Legislative funding allows Maine Military Authority to refurbish 30 school buses

 

Thank you, workers at the Maine Community College System, for turning out the largest graduating class in the system's history

 

Joining together for the Sixth Annual Workers' Memorial Day and May Day Dinner presented by the Western Maine Labor Council, over 100 Mainers gathered this evening at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston on April 27 to remember the 32 Maine workers who died on the job in 2011. Those who gathered also celebrated the working class with several award presentations. Auburn City workers won the council's Workers Solidarity Award for gaining a voice a work by forming a union with MSEA-SEIU Local 1989. State Rep. Paul Gilbert, a staunch advocate for Maine workers and a retiree member of MSEA-SEIU Local 1989, was recognized with the Bruce D. Roy Solidarity Award. And labor educator Bill Murphy was recognized with the Frances Perkins Award. Congressman Mike Michaud congratulated the award recipients for standing up for the rights of Maine workers. The Congressman also called for vigilance in ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for all workers. Allan Shepard of IBEW Local 567 served as emcee for the program. Rachel Desgrosseillers, executive director of Museum L-A, shared efforts to preserve the stories of workers over the generations. Father Mike Seavey of the Portland Diocese gave the invocation.


Standing with the mechanics, fitters, welders, electricians and others workers at Bath Iron Works as contract negotiations begin

 

Public Service Recognition Week: The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution honoring federal, state and local government employees during Public Service Recognition Week continuing through May 12. The resolution was sponsored by Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii. Cosponsors included Senator Susan Collins. Senator Collins said: "I am pleased to be a cosponsor of the Public Service Recognition Week, to recognize the millions of dedicated public servants who serve our nation at all levels of government. This includes our local law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders who perform a vital function in protecting the safety of the public every day. It is important that we recognize, honor, and support these dedicated individuals who serve the people of Maine and, indeed, all Americans."

 

Risky business: LD 849 puts Maine's credit rating on the line

 

Maine Rep. Seth Berry: Reckless TABOR tax bill should be stopped

 

Introducing a new, MSEA-SEIU members-only discount! MSEA-SEIU Union Oil Program Available in five counties: York, Cumberland, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc and Kennebec. Not all people in service area may qualify for delivery - it's at the discretion of the oil dealer. PRE-BUY $3.59/gallon now through May 25, 2012, while supplies last (minimum 500 gallon purchase with auto fill) for Oct. 2012 - May 2013 delivery. Pricing may change at dealer's discretion without notice. Monthly Budget Plans and Downside Protection Insurance are also available at slightly higher costs. Contact Luanne at MSEA-SEIU headquarters for a form. Plan is through Fielding's Oil and Propane, a Maine, multi-generational, family business. Service plans also available.

 

Victory in Connecticut: 11,000 Home Care and Child Care Workers Win Bargaining Rights


Our friends at the Kennebec Valley Organization and Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program invite you to the Spring Action Meeting (Thursday, June 7, from 5:30-7:30 Notre Dame Church. 112 Silver St. Waterville) to hear stories and take action to win commitments for improved transportation to health care to reduce the isolation and improve the lives of Valley seniors. Since last January, KVO and MLTCO leaders have been gathering testimonials from seniors living in Central Maine. Their stories speak of the challenges they face: inadequate access to health care and nutritious food, loneliness, substance abuse/depression, and a crippling isolation due to the rural nature of Central Maine. Come hear them out as they voice their concerns, and be part of the brainstorming to shore up the social services so that fewer seniors are falling through the cracks. Questions? Contact Alex Wheelwright at 200-8735 or Brenda Gallant at 626-5353.

 

Preferred Hospital List from the Maine Division of Employee Health and Benefits effective Feb. 1, 2012

 

"Ending collective bargaining rights paves way for labor strife"