Maine Union Accuses Mills Administration of Bad-Faith Bargaining

The Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union, has filed a complaint with the Maine Labor Relations Board. The complaint alleges that the Mills administration engaged in bad-faith bargaining during negotiations for two-year contracts that expired on June 30, 2023. This accusation comes as the union represents approximately 10,000 state employees across various sectors, including administrative services, maintenance, and professional-technical services.

Union President Mark Brunton criticized the administration for failing to address ongoing recruitment and retention issues within Maine’s state government. He stated in a written statement, “For years, workers have pleaded with the administration to deal with the widespread recruitment and retention problems in Maine state government created by wage structures that are simply not competitive.” Brunton emphasized that the union had proposed various solutions aimed at reducing turnover rates and attracting qualified applicants.

The complaint further asserts that the Mills administration declared a premature impasse last month, bypassing discussions on several key contract proposals presented by the union. It accuses the administration of regressive bargaining practices, including canceling bargaining sessions after the impasse declaration and engaging in actions that undermine the collective bargaining process. The union is requesting that the Maine Labor Relations Board order the administration to retract its impasse declaration and cease any actions related to bad-faith bargaining.

In response, Sharon Huntley, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, stated that the administration disputes the allegations made by the union. “The state has not engaged in regressive bargaining and has been clear on its priorities throughout negotiations and made adjustments… as part of good-faith movements to reach an agreement,” she said in an email.

Huntley highlighted that Governor Janet Mills has made significant commitments to state employees, including more than $1.15 billion in salary increases through the collective bargaining process during her administration. This increase represents an average wage growth of approximately 24% across the state’s workforce. “The governor has supported these increases, and other significant benefit improvements, because they’re good for state workers, and by extension, good for the people of Maine,” Huntley added.

As the situation unfolds, both the union and the administration are preparing for a formal dispute before the Maine Labor Relations Board. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for not only the employees represented by the Maine Service Employees Association but also for the future of labor relations within the state government.