LD65 - “Right to Work” for Less

(2017)

An Act To Ensure the Right To Work without Payment of Dues or Fees to a Labor Union as a Condition of Employment

Sponsored by Sponsored by Representative Lawrence Lockman (R – Amherst)

What is the bill?

So called “Right to Work” laws are designed to weaken unions and drive down wages and working conditions. Under such laws, workers can contribute nothing to a union, yet gain all the benefits and full representation. Currently in Maine, unions and employers can negotiate contracts where all workers who benefit from a collective bargaining agreement share in the costs of bargaining and representation. Under federal law, no worker is required to join a union, but unions have a duty of fair representation to represent all workers in a bargaining unit, whether they are members or not. LD 65 would make it illegal for employers and employees in both the public and private sector to agree that all workers who benefit from a collective bargaining agreement share in the costs. The Legislature defeated this bill with bipartisan opposition.

What happened?

Defeated

Votes