AUGUSTA – The fate of a controversial bill to end the requirement for non-union state workers pay a portion of union dues was left uncertain Wednesday when a legislative committee took no action.
Officially, the bill is still alive. If the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee takes no vote, the bill will be placed on the House calendar for consideration. But it’s unlikely to be debated unless Republicans round up enough votes to pass it.
Labor leaders, who brought more than 100 union workers to the State House to protest the bill Wednesday, say they don’t think Republicans have the votes. But they aren’t taking any chances.
“Until they kill this, we’re going to be here every day,” said Chris Quint, executive director of the Maine State Employees Association.
Senate Majority Leader Jonathan Courtney, R-Springvale, said labor unions have muddled the issue to make the public think the bill is much broader than it is.
Courtney and others support repealing a law adopted in 2007 to require all state workers to pay a portion of union dues if they choose not to join a union.
“They think it’s an assault on collective bargaining rights,” Courtney said. “It isn’t. It’s repealing something for state workers, not all workers across the state.”
Courtney said he doesn’t think the bill is worth debating now unless there’s reason to believe there are enough votes to pass it.
Democrats and labor unions insist that the bill, L.D. 309, is still alive because Gov. Paul LePage wants to get it passed in this session.
“I don’t think the governor can let go of it,” said Sen. Troy Jackson, D-Allagash.
LePage’s spokeswoman, Adrienne Bennett, said the governor supports the bill but hasn’t been lobbying lawmakers to pass it.
“There’s been no directive from the governor to take this up,” she said.
LePage has been consistent in his support since the bill first came up last year, saying he doesn’t think the state should garnish workers’ wages to help support unions.
Union leaders and supporters say it’s not fair for all workers to reap the benefits of contracts they bargain without contributing something to cover the cost of collective bargaining.
“If public employee unions are required by law to represent all workers for contract negotiations, including those choosing not to be in unions, then everyone should pay their fair share for that service,” said the Rev. Mike Seavey of Portland. “This is both ethically and morally sound and should remain in our state laws.”
State House Writer Susan Cover can be contacted at 620-7015 or at scover@mainetoday.com
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