 |
  |
|---|
|
|
|---|
Worker Rights
A Quick Peek
Most of us work for someone else. And while most employers try to be fair and treat their employees well, it’s important that workers have the ability to protect and assert their own rights. Civil liberties shouldn’t end at the workplace door. Places of employment where social justice prevails are not only better for the workers but also turn out to be more productive organizations and better corporate citizens.
The Big Picture
“Organized labor” brings to some people’s mind burly teamsters or longshoremen carrying picket signs and shouting slogans. But all “labor organization” really means is the right of workers to choose fellow workers to represent them to employers, have a say in how wages and work rules are set, and some sort of protection against arbitrary discipline and dismissal. We’re protected through our political democracy from the unjust exercise of government power that could unfairly fine or imprison us; shouldn’t we have similar protections on the job against being unfairly disciplined or fired? The right to organize is really the right to economic democracy.
And if you don’t associate unions with Downeast Maine, drop into the Hancock County courthouse, Seaboard Federal Credit Union, local schools, hospitals or the post office in Ellsworth to meet some union members.The Plan
Supporting legislation in this year’s Legislature (“An Act to Care for Working Families”) that would mandate paid sick days for employees of larger employers. Having workers on the job when they’re sick endangers them, their families, their fellow employees and any customers they contact.
Supporting the right of child-care workers to bargain collectively for better wages and benefits is important. Don’t we want the people who are looking after our children to be fairly treated? Who has a more important job?
Studying Maine’s current “at will” employment laws for possible revision is necessary. Under the current system, if you’re not a union member or have your own employment contract, you can be disciplined or fired at any time with no reason and no recourse. Shouldn’t everyone have some protection on the job? Most states have what are called “just cause” laws, that say if you’re going to discipline your employees or fire them, you should have pretty good reasons, ones that can hold up under scrutiny. Makes sense to me; let‘s see if Maine shouldn’t join the ranks of “just cause” states.
Trying to ensure that we maintain a “living wage” rates; and worker health and safety protections, including strengthening the Family Medical Leave Act is important to me.
Learn More