Out of work, out of hope – This is what a depressed economy looks like

Tens of thousands of Mainers disheartened by the dim prospects of good paying, middle-class jobs have given up looking for work. Some are discouraged to the point […]

Women have the right to vote, but still don't get equal pay for equal work

At the current pace, Maine women won’t see equal pay for equal work until 2057. Despite significant advances in civil rights, women still face economic inequality.

Pine Tree Development Zones fail to create quality jobs in areas of need 

As part of a multiyear review of business tax credits, the state’s government accountability office reported today that the Pine Tree Development Zone (PTDZ) program does not live up to its promise of creating good jobs in higher unemployment areas.

Testimony in Opposition to LD 1609, “An Act To Support Maine's Employers and Encourage Employers To Hire Young Workers”

Maine’s minimum wage increase will help to restore the value of work for tens of thousands of Mainers. It will increase wages for one-third of Maine’s workforce, […]

Testimony in Opposition to LD 65 “An Act To Ensure the Right To Work without Payment of Dues or Fees to a Labor Union as a Condition of Employment” and LD66 “An Act To Prohibit Public Employers from Acting as Collection Agents for Labor Unions”

A prosperous future for Maine and a robust economy requires more middle-wage jobs with good benefits and working conditions that are compatible with family life. Maine cannot […]

Testimony in Opposition to Three Bills to Alter the Minimum Wage Law Passed by Voters in November 2016

Seven states have already removed the special exemption from minimum wages known as the “tip credit” (Alaska, California, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Washington). Federal Earnings data show […]

Testimony in Opposition to: LD 774, 775, 778, 831, 971, 991, 1005

The potential benefits of the recent minimum wage increase could be jeopardized for workers, families, children, and seniors if the proposals to eliminate indexing or reduce minimum […]

Testimony in Support of LD 895 An Act To Help Maine Manufacturing and LD 956 An Act To Establish the Maine Buy America and Build Maine Act

We urge to the committee to support this legislation, which would help preserve good-paying manufacturing jobs in Maine and elsewhere in the United States by helping our […]

A $12 minimum wage by 2020 will lift wages for Maine women and their families (pie chart)

Restoring the Value of Work (full report)

This November, Maine voters will consider a ballot initiative to raise the state minimum wage incrementally to $12 an hour by 2020 and gradually increase the subminimum […]