AUGUSTA, Maine - The Republican-controlled Senate has defeated a bill that would have made Maine the 26th so-called "right-to-work'' state.
The Senate voted 21-14 against the bill on Monday. The House rejected it by a 90-52 vote on Friday. The bill is now dead.
The bill sought to bar employers from requiring employees to join a labor union or pay dues as a condition of employment.
It has been a top priority for Republican Gov. Paul LePage but has been defeated several times by Democrats backed by powerful unions.
Opponents say the bill is an attempt to undermine the bargaining power of unions. But supporters said it's about protecting the rights of workers who aren't interested in joining a union.
The Senate also rejected two other proposals that opponents called "anti-worker'' bills.