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Maine's Congressional Reps Support Pro-Labor Measure Endorsed By House

David Sharp
/
Associated Press/file
In this April 27, 2019, file photo, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, speaks during a ceremony for a Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer named for former President Lyndon Baines Johnson in Bath, Maine.

The U.S. House has passed a pro-labor measure backed by Maine's two Democratic representatives. Supporters say the measure would empower workers.The legislation would establish penalties for companies that retaliate against workers who organize and exand the ability of hundreds of thousands of workers to organize and bargain collectivity.

Maine 2nd District Rep. Jared Golden says workers deserve a fair shake. “I was raised by people who taught me that you take care of your workers and your employees," he says. "I don’t think we want to have a country where employers are getting rich while also paying their employees less and less.”

Golden says the measure has been too long in coming. “I suspect part of the problem in getting to where we need to be on this has something to do with the lobbying power of special interests and big corporations.”

The measure, also supported by Maine 1st District Rep. Chellie Pingree, faces strong opposition in the U.S. Senate and likely will not even get a public hearing. Opponents say it would harm employers and violate privacy rights.

 

Journalist Mal Leary spearheads Maine Public's news coverage of politics and government and is based at the State House.