MAINE LABOR ROUND-UP
April 2008

A Report on Activities of the
Maine AFL-CIO

www.maineaflcio.org 
 
NOTE- Text  in blue or red is a direct web link to a full Internet source

MAINE WORKS TO SHOW WORKERS

THE TRUTH ABOUT JOHN MCCAIN

FROM THE DESK OF THE SECRETARY-TREASURER
Bruce Roy
Secretary-Treasurer
Maine AFL-CIO

Matt Schlobohm, Maine AFL-CIO Public Policy & Political Mobilization Director, told the March meeting of the Maine AFL-CIO Executive Board that labor has already begun a strong effort to show Maine workers that John McCain is the “wrong choice” for President. The media is attempting to show that McCain is a maverick and a pro-war candidate, said Schlobohm, and they are largely ignoring McCain’s “pitiful” record on workers’ issues.

Distribution of leaflets about the McCain record has begun as well as “one-on-one” worksite meetings. If you need worksite leaflets for your local let Matt know, matt@maineaflcio.org, 786-0035.


Presentations Available
Matt also reported that the Maine AFL-CIO has presentations available to present to local unions including the John McCain jeopardy game and presentation, an Economy that Works for All  educational presentation that looks at how & why this economy is not working for working families and what we can do to change it and a good Healthcare Security presentation.

If you’re interested in any of these presentations, contact Matt, matt@maineaflcio.org 786-0045.

Maine AFL-CIO President Edward Gorham noted that a large number of these presentations have been made very effectively and that they have led to a number of locals to begin working on affiliation or re-affiliation with the state organization.

McCain “Jeopardy”
Labor needs to find more creative ways to get the truth out about McCain, said Schlobohm. One effort is playing the “McCain jeopardy game” at union meetings so that workers find out about McCain “from the horses mouth.” Also Matt said that the first e-mail newsletter has gone out to help keep members informed of upcoming events. It also has a section on McCain:

JOHN McCAIN REVEALED

Sen. John McCain calls himself a “straight talker.” But do you know what he really believes?

He’s a self-described “free trader” who supports bad trade deals like NAFTA and CAFTA. He wants to tax your health care benefits. He supports Social Security privatization and Right to Work for Less laws. And he opposes the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation to protect our freedom to form unions and bargain.

Want to learn more about what McCain really believes and stands for. Go to: http://www.mccainrevealed.com   

The AFL-CIO recently launched a "McCain Revealed" campaign to expose Sen. John McCain's record and his allegiance to the failed policies of President George W. Bush.  The campaign includes a great website:  http://www.mccainrevealed.com   

The site gives you all the information you need on McCain’s anti-worker positions and statements.  It is a great resource. Please share it with members. http://www.mccainrevealed.com

Huge Rally
Matt also reported on a huge State House rally More than 1,000 people came to the State House Wednesday to lobby against budget cuts to Health and Human Services and education.

The rally was organized by a coalition of more than 100 community groups who make up Maine Can Do Better. The Maine Central Labor Councils and the Maine AFL-CIO are part of the coalition seeking a state budget that will be more fair.

Matt also noted that legislation on “fusion voting” came out of the legislative committee with a split vote and was on its way to the House floor. While it may not pass the current session, it deserves support as it would “strengthen the hand” of labor by allowing candidates to run representing more than one political party.

Action Training
Matt said that there will be a Maine Labor 2008 Political Action Training session from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 10 at the Local 716 Union Hall, Gabriel Drive, Augusta. For a map and directions:

http://www.maineaflcio.org/map%20plumbers%20and%20pipefitters%20hall%20augusta.htm   This is an important political training for local union leaders, coordinators and members interested in the Maine Labor 2008 campaign. The training will provide skills to be a more effective union activist and to ensure success in 2008. The training will include an overview of the campaign and issues, how to do effective worksite communication, recruit volunteers and develop a local Labor 08 plan.

President Gorham reported on various pending legislative actions including school consolidation which impacts at least five AFL-CIO unions. The number of areas of conflict in the pending legislation has been sharply reduced but the unions are still working on mutual agreement so that they will not be “swallowed up” in the consolidation process.

Discuss Grant Use
The E-Board held a lengthy discussion covering the impact of the two “Solidarity Grants” from the national AFL-CIO and their influence on various individuals being hired to work full or part time for the state organization and for the Central Labor Councils. Board member Cynthia Phinney presented a two-page resolution outlining the importance of the 2008 elections in Maine, detailing the great effort that Maine labor had put last year into creating a “strategic plan” following national standards and the need for permanent part time assistance for the CLCs as well as full time help for the state organization. The resolution “urgently requested” that the current situation of  “employing part time staff at the CLCs is the most effective strategy to build strong and effective organizations in the short and long term, while at the same time running the most effective” political campaign and strengthening labor organization at all levels. The resolution, which strongly objected to a requirement to use grant money only for full-time positions, was unanimously agreed to by the E-Board which directed it to be sent to the national AFL-CIO.

A motion to use Solidarity Grant funds to continue to pay for part time assistance to CLCs was unanimously approved. Cynthia also introduced a resolution, unanimously passed which essentially said that if National doesn't change its position on the 2008 grant, that the 2007 Solidarity grant will be used to fund any position not folded into the 2008 grant. 

Secretary-Treasurer Bruce Roy reported that the Budget Committee is continuing to work on the 2008 budget which is somewhat complicated by the use and impact of the two Solidarity Grants. President Gorham thanked the Budget Committee for its work.

New Briefing Paper

Bill Murphy, Director of the Maine Bureau of Labor Education at University of Maine at Orono, called the attention of the meeting to a series of “briefing papers” including health & safety, women workers and labor demographics. The latest paper on privatization is now available on request from the BLE.

He also said the Bureau and the Maine State Building and Construction Trades Council

Will present an evening program on Worker Rights under Maine’s Workers’ Compensation Laws May 7, 2008, Registration  6:00 – 6:30 p.m. Program - 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall, Local 716, 21 Gabriel Drive, Augusta.

Worker’s Comp
The speaker will be Jim Case, Attorney at Law, Counsel for the Maine AFL-CIO and     Maine Building Trades who will discuss:

·           An overview of Maine’s Workers’ Compensation Laws;

·           Who is covered and what is covered?

·            Benefits;

·           Notice and application process;

·            Process for dispute resolution;

·           Rights to return to work and/or vocational rehabilitation;

·           Other aspects of the law workers need to know.

Jim will provide participants with an informal presentation on these topics, along with an opportunity for question and answer discussion.

Information on registration is available from the Bureau at 581-4124 E-mail:  labored@maine.edu  US mail:  Bureau of Labor Education,University of Maine, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Orono, Maine, 04469   

Upcoming Events
Board member and EMLC President Jack McKay reported that the Council and Food and Medicine will celebrate May Day 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday April 27 at the Solidarity Community Center, 20 Ivers St., Brewer. Congressman Tom Allen will speak along with St. John (Canada) Labor Council President Ron Oldfield and childcare workers who recently organized. The Worker Center of Eastern Maine’s Worker Rights Hotline will open. Jack noted that they are now training volunteers to return calls and answer employment problems. They are also working on getting support requiring employers to have “just cause” to dismiss an employee. Ads can be placed in the May Day Program Book until Friday April 11. Call 989-4141 for information or e-mail Jack at jack@foodandmedicine.org

To celebrate the gains of working people and to honor workers who have died on the job during the year the Western Maine Labor Council is holding a breakfast at

9 a.m. Saturday, April 26 at Bates Mill, (second floor) 35 Canal St., Lewiston

TICKETS: $15 Donation (at the door) $7.50 for seniors and kids.

WMLC President Don Berry noted that this event last year attracted close to 200 people and was also a rollicking fun event for all who attended. This year, again, there will be a great breakfast, live music and speakers.

Berry can be contacted at 415-2783 or jatc567@yahoo.com All proceeds benefit the WMLC and the Workers Museum.

The WMLC is also presenting a free movie showing of “At the River I Stand” at the IBEW 567 Union Hall, 238 Goddard Rd., Lewiston with a panel discussion after the screening. The movie portrays the historic 1868 Memphis strike of 1,300 sanitation workers and the connection between economic and civil rights. This was the struggle supported by Martin Luther King in the final months of his life. For information 786-0045.

Candidate’s Night
John Carr, President of the Maine Council of Senior Citizens/ARA, noted that the Council has two upcoming events:

CANDIDATE’S NIGHT – 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 6 at the John Marvin Towers in Augusta (On Townsend Street). There will be light refreshments and talks by all candidates (Republican and Democratic) for the Maine First District Congressional seat.

ANNUAL FUND RAISER AND RECEPTION – 4:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 16 at the Augusta Elks Club. Recipients of this year’s John Marvin Award will be Ed Gorham and Maine Equal Justice. RSVP to Neena at 622-3151 EX 1153 or 1-800-452-8794 Ex 1153.