April 30, 2020
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, my employer made assumptions about me or treated me differently than coworkers because I am Asian or from another country. What can I do?
An employer who treats you worse than other workers because of your race, national origin, or ethnic background is violating the law. This includes employer actions that single you out because of negative stereotypes. Please see pages 19 and 21 of the Southern Maine Workers’ Center’s WORK Manual for more information on race or national…
Read MoreApril 30, 2020
Can I lose my job if I need to take time off because I am sick with COVID-19 or my family member is sick with COVID-19?
As described in FAQ 9, COVID-19 may be a disability within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA). If so, it would be illegal for your employer to fire you because you develop COVID-19, because it regards you as having COVID-19, or because you associate with…
Read MoreApril 30, 2020
My child’s daycare or school is closed because of the coronavirus threat. Can I take time off to care for my child?
In addition to the 10 days of paid sick leave described in FAQ 3, your employer may be required to allow you to take an additional 10 weeks of job-protected leave with partial pay to care for your child while your child is out of school or daycare is unavailable, for a total of 12…
Read MoreApril 30, 2020
I am self-employed or an independent contractor and I am unable to work or my income has been reduced for reasons related to COVID-19. What can I do to receive income while I am not working?
Beginning May 1, 2020, the Maine Department of Labor (DOL) began accepting applications for unemployment benefits under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Under that program, workers who would not typically be eligible for unemployment under Maine law, such as self-employed workers, “gig economy” workers, independent contractors, and workers with limited work history, are…
Read MoreApril 30, 2020
Due to coronavirus, my employer has cut my hours, forced me to take unpaid leave, or ended my employment. What can I do?
You may be eligible for unemployment benefits while you are out of work. In general, you may apply for unemployment benefits if you worked for an employer and made at least $5,150 during the last year. The Maine Legislature passed a law to expand unemployment benefits to workers affected by the COVID-19 virus. That legislation…
Read MoreApril 27, 2020
Sign The Petition – Tell Gov. Mills: during this pandemic, we need universal healthcare!
Please sign the petition here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-gov-mills-during-this-pandemic-we-need-universal-healthcare Gov. Mills must utilize every resource available to address the healthcare needs of all Mainers amid the COVID-19 pandemic which has initiated a public health and economic crisis unprecedented in our lifetimes. Important steps have been taken by Gov. Mills to respond to our circumstances, the situation however, is…
Read MoreMarch 31, 2020
Solidarity is Always the Answer: Demands for Human Rights in the Time of COVID-19
Our conditions are changing rapidly. We published this response on March 31st, 2020. We will continue to update our members as our positions evolve in response to the rapidly evolving crisis. Our people are in crisis, facing loss of income, eviction, debt and dangerous work conditions. Workers who are told they are “essential” are being…
Read MoreMarch 31st, 2020
Virtual Meeting: The Peoples Town Hall
This event will be a virtual meeting hosted on Zoom by The Southern Maine Workers Center on Tuesday, March 31st from 5:30Pm – 7:30pm. Fill out the form to register for the event and we’ll text or email you the call information before the event begins. Please register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PDs1HgqKdJr-w7radOvXa-c474aqdqE5rsCyd8OfBmM/edit#responses
Read MoreMarch 16, 2020
Virtual Workers’ Rights Legal Clinic
The Southern Maine Workers’ Center partners with the Volunteer Lawyers Project to host a virtual Workers’ Rights Legal Clinic (WRLC) weekly on Thursday from 5-7pm over Zoom or phone. At the clinic, you can talk to a volunteer lawyer for a free half hour consultation. You can get advice on topics such as your legal rights at…
Read MoreMarch 15, 2020
Solidarity is Always the Answer: how we’re taking collective care & action in a time of crisis
Dear Friends, The members, staff, and board of SMWC have been closely monitoring the rapidly changing news and impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the response this week. The times we are in are uncertain and unknown. We’ve never been a Workers’ Center under circumstances like these, and we are trying to pivot quickly to respond…
Read MoreMarch 5, 2020
Folks rally at the State House for lawmakers to support expanded dental care
A few dozen folks rallied at the State House Thursday advocating for a bill that would give more Mainers access to dental care. It would allow people who make under $17,000 a year to get basic dental prevention and treatment. The only Medicaid dental benefit for adults in Maine is limited emergency care. Supporters say…
Read MoreMarch 5, 2020
Sharing stories of pain and stigma, low-income Mainers call on lawmakers to pass dental bill
Dozens of working-class Mainers rallied at the State House on Thursday to demand their legislators vote to support a bill to guarantee comprehensive dental coverage for low-income adults through MaineCare, Maine’s Medicaid program. LD 1955 is the second attempt to secure dental coverage for low-income adults after a similar bill, LD 1453, passed both the state House…
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