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Maine Senate Fails to Pass Union Busting Bill


Earlier this week, the Republican controlled Maine Senate failed to pass a bill that would have significantly diminished the power of unions in the state.  The bill, LD 1553, would have required union members in the state to vote every two years on whether or not to decertify their union.  If any labor union failed to receive a majority of votes in its favor, that union would subsequently be decertified and no longer would serve as the representative of the bargaining unit.  LD 1553 also went one step further and would have allowed employees of a decertified union to choose a new union at any particular time of their choosing.

This bill, which would have given employees far reaching control over their unions, failed to pass the state Senate by a 20 - 13 vote.  It is not surprising to see that all Democrats opposed this bill...although it is somewhat eye brow raising to see that five Republicans opposed the bill.  Although turning Maine into a right to work state (which this bill would have helped accomplish) has been a priority for Republican Governor Paul LePage, things will likely have to wait for the time being.  In the interim, this bill is headed to the Democratic controlled House.  If LD 1553 failed to pass in the Republican controlled Senate, I would not hold out much hope for its success in the House.


For additional information:  https://bangordailynews.com/2017/06/12/politics/maine-senate-dumps-proposal-to-hold-union-busting-votes-every-two-years/

For a copy of LD 1553:  http://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280065099

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