Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union

VOL. LV, No. 6 September 24, 2020 USPS709700

Maine StaterMaine Stater

American Civil Liberties Union of Maine Workers at the American Civil Liberties Union have unanimously decided to form a union with ours, and their employer voluntarily recognized their union without the need for an election supervised by the National Labor Relations Board. This makes the workers at the ACLU of Maine the latest group of workers,

Special edition — Guide to the November 3 ElectionSpecial edition — Guide to the November 3 Election

Please see REPRESENTATIONAL, Page 2

Nov. 3: Let’s elect a Legislature that respects you, your work

Pro-Labor Legislative Champions in action! The elected officials who have voted 100% pro-MSEA and worked on every issue we tracked in the 129th Maine Legislature include State Rep. Chloe Maxmin, at podium, whom we’re supporting for Senate District 13, State Rep. and MSEA-SEIU Member Donna Doore, State Senator Shenna Bellows and State Rep. and IBEW Member Scott Cuddy. See our complete list of pro-worker candidates for Maine Legislature on Page 3 and for higher office on Page 4. Please keep this guide handy for when you vote, whether absentee, early or in person. Voting for Pro-Labor Candidates in 2020 will make the difference!

Representational services roundup — American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, Green Valley Association, Lewiston Schools, MainePERS, Turnpike

in addition to the workers at Preble Street and Planned Parenthood in Maine, to form a union with ours. We welcome all to the union family!

Green Valley Association Members at Green Valley Association and management extended the Hazard Pay agreement ($2 per hour) to November 30.

Lewiston Schools Members of our bargaining team at the Lewiston Schools continue bargaining for a new contract to replace the one expiring Oct. 1. The negotiations are experiencing an unforeseen delay by management for COVID-related reasons and other medical reasons. In a show of unity for a fair contract, members in our bargaining unit, the Lewiston teachers and other educators are wearing “Respect” buttons.

Maine Public Employees Retirement System Members of all three of our bargaining units (Administrative, Professional-Technical and Supervisory) at MainePERS are getting ready to bargain. Their current contracts expire Oct. 31.

Maine Turnpike Authority Members of our coalition bargaining

Early Voting

in Maine MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 members are deeply invested in the 2020 General Election, supporting candidates who support labor and state resources vital in 2021 and beyond.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ABSENTEE VOTING Absentee voting is safe, reliable, and a necessary part of our democracy. These are the most important updates: Any person can request an absentee ballot due to fear of contracting COVID-19. The USPS recommends voters mail back completed ballots two weeks prior to the Nov. 3 General Election. Requesting an absentee ballot will not prevent you from voting in person, if you choose to do so. This does NOT allow you to vote twice. APPLY FOR A BALLOThttp://bit.ly/mseaabsentee2020

More voting info on Page 2

page 2 Maine Stater September 24, 2020

Maine StaterPublished four times a year by the Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union, 65 State St., Augusta, ME 04330-5126. Periodical rate postage paid at Augusta, Maine. ISSN: 1048-9037

Postmaster: Please send address corrections to the Maine Stater, 65 State St., Augusta, ME 04330-5126

Alec Maybarduk Executive Editor

Tom Farkas Editor

Area II Clara Alvarez30 Ledges Lane Freedom 04941

Maryann Griffin77 Bridge St. Augusta 04330

Jennifer Neumeyer570 Langdon Road Richmond 04357

David Projansky2 Brentwood Ave. Lewiston 04240

PresidentDean Staffieri79 Burnham Drive Naples 04055

Vice PresidentAllison Perkins19 Thurston RoadCornville 04976

TreasurerMark Landry4 Boucher Ave.Augusta 04330

SecretaryLisa Morgan20 Paul St. Auburn 04210

Area I Tom Maher 84 Dearborn DriveStetson 04488

Area IIIJason Mitchell67 Johnson Heights Waterville 04901

Cal Paquet58 Harmon DriveBowdoin 04287

Rachel Sherman833 Main St. Apt. 409 Alfred 04073

JB Whipple17 Old County Road Scarborough04074

Executive Director Alec Maybarduk

General Counsel Thomas Feeley

Deputy General Counsel Anne Macri

Executive Assistant Jessica Doody

Director of Politicsand Legislation Jeff McCabe

Director of Financeand Administration Shelly Page

Director of Organizing and Field Operations Angela MacWhinnie

Eligibility and Claims Examiner II Andrew Wing

Organizer Sarah Watson

Lead Member Political and Legislative Coordinator Beth White

Field Representatives Lindsey Bigelow Joe Gribbin Tim McGuire Frank Porter III Meg Reilly Krystal Talbot Robin Upton- Sukeforth Information Technology Specialist Solomon Nethers

Communicationsand Training Coordinator Tom Farkas

Account Clerks Luanne Collins Betsey Guerette

Support Staff Assistant Joan Levesque

Lead Member Support Specialist Terry Baillargeon

Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO, CLC

Board of Directors Staff

SOMSEA

Officers

65 State St.,Augusta, ME 04330-5126Tel: (207) 622-3151 or 1-800-452-8794TTY: (207) 623-7649 or 1-800-321-2626www.mseaseiu.orgEmail: mseaseiu@mseaseiu.orgFacebook, twitter, Instagram: @mseaseiu1989

RetireesSteve Butterfield8 Richardson Lane Hallowell 04347

Bob RuhlinPO Box 18 Kenduskeag 04450

Penny Whitney- Asdourian6 Friendship LaneScarborough 04074

REPRESENTATIONALContinued from Page 1

team at the Maine Turnpike Authority reached a tentative agreement with management on three-year contracts restructuring the turnpike authority into three bargaining units (Headquarters, Operations and Fare Collectors). The MSEA-SEIU Board of Directors has authorized ratification votes. The tentative agreements run from Dec. 27, 2020, through Dec. 30, 2023, and include: a revised, 10-step, merit-based pay scale (three-step increase); a pay raise of 1% or the New England Consumer Price Index, whichever is higher in each of the three years; and a new $2,500 annual medical insurance co-pay reimbursement with no rollover. In addition, the tentative agreements increase the boot and tool allowances and the wellness benefit.

Maine Stater page 3 September 24, 2020Nov. 3 elections for Maine Senate and Maine House of Representatives—

The candidates for Maine Senate (SD) and Maine House (HD) listed on this page support worker issues and budgets; those currently serving advocated for you in the State House. They are all on the ballot Nov. 3, 2020. Please vote for pro-labor candidates who respect you and know your work matters. MSEA-SEIU members carefully reviewed their voting records or positions on issues important to you; see the voting records of all incumbent legislators in our Legislative Scorecard for the 129th Legislature: bit.ly/MSEA129thScorecard Members of our Board of Directors voted to endorse the candidates on this page on the recommendation of the members serving on our PASER Committee, Political Action by Service Employees and Retirees. Note: Asterisk (*) denotes candidates currently serving in the Legislature.

These candidates respect you, your workThe pro-worker candidates listed on this page are on the ballot Nov. 3

Senate candidates who respect you, your work

SD 1 Sen. Troy Jackson*, Aroostook SD 2 Sen. Mike Carpenter*, Aroostook SD 5 Sen. Jim Dill*, Penobscot SD 7 Sen. Louis Luchini*, Hancock SD 8 Beverly Uhlenhake, Hancock SD 9 Joseph Baldacci, Penobscot SD 11 Glenn Chip Curry, Waldo SD 12 Sen. Dave Miramant*, Knox SD 13 Rep. Chloe Maxmin*, Lincoln SD 14 Sen. Shenna Bellows*, Kennebec SD 15 Kalie Hess, Kennebec SD 16 Hilary Koch, Kennebec SD 17 Jan Collins, Franklin SD 18 Gabriel Perkins, Oxford SD 19 Katey Branch, Oxford SD 20 Sen. Ned Claxton*, Androscoggin SD 21 Sen. Nate Libby*, Androscoggin SD 22 Martha Poliquin, Androscoggin SD 23 Sen. Eloise Vitelli*, Sagadahoc SD 24 Rep. Matthea Daughtry*, Cumberland SD 25 Sen. Cathy Breen*, Cumberland SD 26 Sen. Bill Diamond*, Cumberland SD 27 Sen. Ben Chipman*, Cumberland SD 28 Sen. Heather Sanborn*, Cumberland SD 29 Rep. Anne Carney*, Cumberland SD 30 Stacy Brenner, Cumberland SD 31 Rep. Donna Bailey*, York SD 32 Sen. Susan Deschambault*, York SD 33 Michael McKinney, York SD 34 Joseph Rafferty, York SD 35 Sen. Mark Lawrence*, York

HD 2 Rep. Michele Meyer*, Elliot HD 3 Rep. Lydia Blume*, York HD 5 Charles Galemmo, North Berwick HD 6 Rep. Tiffany Roberts*, South Berwick HD 7 Rep. Daniel Hobbs*, Wells HD 8 Rep. Christopher Babbidge*, Kennebunk HD 10 Rep. Henry Ingwersen*, Arundel HD 11 Rep. Ryan Fecteau*, Bidderford HD 12 Erin Sheehan, Biddeford HD 13 Rep. Lori Gramlich*, Old Orchard Beach HD 14 Lynn Copeland, Saco HD 15 Rep. Maggie O’Neil*, Saco HD 16 David Durrell, Hollis HD 18 John Tuttle,Sanford HD 19 Patricia Kidder,Springvale HD 20 Daniel Lauzon,Lebanon HD 21 Clifford Krolick, Parsonfield HD 23 Tim Goodwin, Standish HD 24 Rep. Mark Bryant*, Windham HD 26 Rep. Maureen Terry*, Gorham HD 27 Kyle Bailey, Gorham HD 28 Rep. Christopher Caiazzo*, Scarborough HD 29 Rep. Shawn Babine*, Scarborough HD 30 Sen. Rebecca Millett*, Cape Elizabeth HD 31 Rep. Lois Reckitt,* South Portland HD 32 Rep. Christopher Kessler*, South Portland HD 33 Rep. Victoria Morales*, South Portland HD 34 Morgan Rielly, Westbrook HD 35 Suzanne Salisbury, Westbrook HD 37 Grayson Lookner, Portland HD 38 Barb Wood, Portland HD 39 Rep. Mike Sylvester*, Portland HD 40 Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross*, Portland HD 41 Samuel Zager, Portland HD 42 Rep. Benjamin Collings*, Portland HD 43 Rep. Ed Crockett*, Portland HD 45 Rep. Stephen Moriarty*, Cumberland HD 46 Rep. Braden Sharpe*, Durham HD 47 Art Bell, Yarmouth HD 48 Melanie Sachs, Freeport HD 49 Poppy Arford, Brunswick HD 50 Rep. Ralph Tucker*, Brunswick HD 51 Rep. Jay McCreight*, Harpswell HD 52 Rep. Sean Paulhus*, Bath HD 53 Rep. Allison Hepler*, Woolwich HD 54 Rep. Denise Tepler*, Topsham HD 55 Rep. Seth Berry*, Bowdoinham HD 56 Scott Gaiason, Lisbon Falls HD 58 Rep. Jim Handy*, Lewiston HD 59 Rep. Margaret Craven*, Lewiston HD 60 Rep. Kristen Cloutier*, Lewiston HD 61 Rep. Heidi Brooks*, Lewiston HD 62 Rep. Gina Melaragno*, Auburn HD 64 Rep. Bettyann Sheats*, Auburn HD 66 Rep. Jessica Fay*, Raymond HD 68 Patrick Scully, Naples HD 70 Nathan Burnett, Hiram HD 71 Kenneth Morse, Norway

HD 73 Joshua Woodburn, Paris HD 74 Rep. Tina Riley*, Jay HD 75 John Nutting, Leeds HD 76 Deborah Emery, Wayne HD 78 Ray Caron, Winslow HD 81 Tavis Hasenfus, Readfield HD 82 Rep. Kent Ackley*, Monmouth HD 83 Rep. Thom Harnett*, Gardiner HD 84 Rep. Charlotte Warren*, Hallowell HD 85 Rep. Donna Doore*, Augusta HD 86 Adam Turner, Augusta HD 87 Timothy Marks, Pittston HD 89 Rep. Holly Stover*, Boothbay HD 91 Rep. Jeffrey Evangelos*, Friendship HD 93 Valli Geiger, Rockland HD 94 Rep. Victoria Doudera*, Camden HD 95 Rep. William Pluecker*, Warren HD 96 Rep. Stanley Paige Zeigler*, Montville HD 97 Rep. Jan Dodge*, Belfast HD 98 Rep. Scott Cuddy*, Winterport HD 99 April Turner, Freedom HD 100 Carroll Payne, Plymouth HD 103 Robin Russel, Hermon HD 106 Ethan Brownell, Pittsfield HD 107 Rep. Betty Austin*, Skowhegan HD 108 Nathaniel White, Fairfield HD 109 Rep. Bruce White*, Waterville HD 110 Rep. Colleen Madigan*, Waterville HD 112 Pete Bourgelais, Phillips HD 114 Gregory Kimber, Temple HD 115 John Patrick, Rumford HD 116 Christopher Berryment, Mexico HD 117 Savannah Sessions, Bethel HD 120 Richard Evans, Dover-Foxcroft HD 121 Megan Smith, Milford HD 122 Rep. Michelle Dunphy*, Old Town HD 123 Laurie Osher, Orono HD 124 Rep. Joe Perry*, Bangor HD 125 Amy Roeder, Bangor HD 126 Laura Supica, Bangor HD 127 Rep. Barbara Cardone*, Cardone HD 128 Rep. Kevin O’Connell*, Brewer HD 130 Nicholas Delli Paoli, Bucksport HD 131 Veronica Magnan, Sandy Point HD 132 Rep. Nicole Grohoski*, Ellsworth HD 133 Rep. Sarah Pebworth*, Blue Hill HD 134 Rep. Genevieve McDonald*, Stonington HD 136 Antonio Blasi, Hancock HD 137 Maxwell Coolidge, Franklin HD 138 Rep. Robert Alley*, Beals HD 142 Natalie DiPentino, West Enfield HD 143 Charles Pray, Millinocket HD 144 Kathryn Harnish, Houlton HD 145 Robert “Bo” Zabierek, Sherman Mills HD 147 Lillie Lavado, Presque Isle HD 148 Rep. David McCrea*, Fort Fairfield HD 150 Rep. Danny Martin*, Sinclair HD 151 Rep. John Martin*, Eagle Lake

House candidates who respect you, your work

healthcare and prescription drug coverage, and meeting the state’s responsibility to retired public workers. “As a retiree, it’s important to elect a U.S. Senator who will fight to protect the benefits we earned during our years of working,” said MSEA-SEIU Retiree Member Jane L. Gilbert, chair of our union’s political action committee known as PASER, Political Action by Service Employees and Retirees. “Sara Gideon’s leadership in the Maine Legislature to protect the retiree pension cost of living adjustment proves she understands our issues. We can count on her to be a beacon for retirement protection in Congress, too.” In response to our endorsement, Speaker Gideon said, “Hardworking Mainers deserve a Senator who will fight for their rights and always put the interests of Maine people first. In Maine, we’ve worked to expand access to affordable healthcare, address the opioid epidemic, and protect the right of working people to organize — and I’m proud to have MSEA’s endorsement so we can continue to work together for Maine people in Washington.”

Reelect Congressman Jared Golden Elected to Congress in 2018, Congressman Jared Golden of Lewiston fights for Maine’s working families at every turn:

• He’s leading a coalition of over 75 U.S. House members to push for passage of the PRO Act, one of the most significant pro-labor bills in a generation;

• He introduced legislation for Maine’s heritage industries

to help grow the logging workforce, protect lobstermen and lobsterwomen from unfair regulations, and plan for the future of Maine’s shipbuilding workforce. A member of the Armed Services Committee, he’s advocating for jobs at Maine shipyards and pushing the Navy to ensure a strong workforce in support of our defense industries

• Congressman Golden has used his position on the House Small Business Committee to highlight the need to invest in rural infrastructure like broadband so Maine businesses and industries can succeed.

• A Marine veteran who served combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq following the Sept. 11 attacks, Congressman Golden successfully led an effort to establish a permanent unit at the Togus veterans hospital to provide long-term beds for mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Reelect Congresswoman Chellie Pingree Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has stood up for Mainers at the national level since her election in 2008, and before that as a state senator, on crucial issues like affordable healthcare and prescription drug coverage, and retirement security. She has earned your vote for reelection. She advocates every day for an economy that works for all of us. She fights tooth and nail for workers, active and retired, and against tax schemes that give enormous tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy few at the expense of everybody else. She’s on the front line of protecting and strengthening the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Social Security, and repealing the Social Security Offsets.

page 4 Maine Stater September 24, 2020

Biden, Gideon, Golden, Pingree support you, your workBiden, Gideon, Golden, Pingree support you, your workJoe Biden for President “This pandemic has shown that all workers, from grocery workers and home care workers to public servants and medical workers, are truly essential in keeping our state and nation running, yet the rights of workers have been under attack by President Donald Trump,” MSEA-SEIU President Dean Staffieri said. “Rather than help workers, Trump has hurt workers by stacking the courts with anti-worker judges, refusing to raise the federal minimum wage, revoking a rule extending overtime to over 8 million workers, undermining the national healthcare law, and allowing employers who violate wage and overtime laws to avoid penalties. “There is a better way forward for workers, active and retired,” President Staffieri continued. “Vice President Joe Biden is a proven champion on issues important to MSEA-SEIU members and their families. He will raise the minimum wage to $15 and reform outdated and unfair labor laws. He will bring unions and industry together so more workers can join unions and earn a living wage. He will protect and strengthen the national healthcare law. He has a plan for addressing the pandemic by making testing free, treatment affordable and healthcare and personal protective equipment available. Join me in campaigning to elect Joe Biden for President.”

Sara Gideon for Senate When it comes to fighting for Maine’s working families, there’s no stronger candidate for U.S. Senate than Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon. Sara has a long record of fighting for hardworking Mainers, protecting and strengthening collective bargaining rights, creating an economy that works for all of us, expanding access to affordable

MSEA-SEIU Retiree and PASER Member Tony Gonzales of Milo trekked up Mount Katahdin with his daughter-in-law, Lori Towne, over Labor Day Weekend while getting out the vote for Joe Biden for President.

Joe Biden for President

Sara Gideon for Senate

Congressman Jared Golden

Congress-woman Chellie

Pingree