Jobs and Income Worker wins and setbacks in the 2023 legislative sessions In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been steady gains in the overall output of Maine’s economy and workforce, employment levels, and wages for people […] James Myall Posted July 31, 2023 Tags Budget, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Fair Scheduling, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Overtime, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Wages
Jobs and Income MECEP Statement on veto of bill to advance farmworker rights Maine Center for Economic Policy is disappointed at Governor Janet Mills’ decision to veto LD 398, “An Act to Make Agricultural Workers and Other Related Workers Employees […] Posted July 19, 2023 Tags Economic Security, Job Quality, Jobs, Minimum Wage, Overtime, Unions
Jobs and Income Maine could finally expand overtime pay for thousands of workers James Myall, a policy analyst with the Maine Center for Economic Policy, told lawmakers that the group estimates that about 26,000 additional salaried workers in the for-profit […] Beacon Posted April 26, 2023 Tags Job Quality, Jobs, Overtime
Jobs and Income Progress for Maine Workers in the first part of the 130th Legislature After a particularly difficult year for Maine workers — during which many people labored under intense pressure and the looming threat of the COVID-19 pandemic — the […] James Myall Posted September 1, 2021 Tags Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Minimum Wage, Overtime, Paid Sick Days, Wages
Jobs and Income Extra pay for extra work: How Maine can restore overtime pay for 28,000 Mainers When Mainers work long hours, they deserve to be compensated fairly for their extra work. Overtime protections exist to ensure extra work is rewarded with extra pay, […] James Myall Posted March 22, 2021 Tags Incomes, Job Quality, Overtime, Wages
Jobs and Income Lawmakers discuss bill to restore overtime protection James Myall, a policy analyst for the Maine Center for Economic Policy, said most people think of a typical work week as being 40 hours. He said […] Fox Bangor Posted March 22, 2021 Tags Job Quality, Jobs, Overtime, Wages
Jobs and Income Wage theft costs workers millions. This bill would help workers get what they’re owed. All Mainers are entitled to the wages they earn, and no one should have their wages stolen by their employer. While most employers play by the rules […] James Myall Posted March 17, 2021 Tags Incomes, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Overtime, Wages
Jobs and Income Maine trade groups lash out against proposed increase in overtime pay eligibility Supporters of increased overtime protections say arguments that the measure will sink Maine’s economy and force businesses out are reminiscent of the talking points issued by those […] Portland Press Herald Posted March 11, 2020 Tags Job Quality, Jobs, Overtime
Jobs and Income Letter to the editor: To ensure that Maine workers get paid for OT work, support L.D. 402 The system, as it is, encourages abuse by employers. Raising the minimum compensation requirement would end corporations gaming the system. The Maine Center for Economic Policy states […] Portland Press Herald Posted March 4, 2020 Tags Job Quality, Overtime, Wages
Maine’s Economy Proposed “Whistleblower” law will help restore workers’ right to hold bad bosses accountable Maine’s lawmakers are revisiting a bill introduced in 2019 that would restore the legal rights of workers trapped in a rigged system that prevents them from having […] James Myall Posted February 24, 2020 Tags Jobs, Minimum Wage, Overtime, Wages