January 27, 2020
Dental care improves lives
On Jan. 23, I flashed my toothiest smile at Gov. Janet Mills. As a member of the Southern Maine Workers Center, I rallied with coalition partners at the State House to support LD 1955. If passed, LD 1955 will expand MaineCare to include comprehensive dental care for adults. Access to dental care is essential to good health. People who do…
Read MoreSeptember 19, 2019
We’re Hiring! Join the team as our Health Care is a Human Right Community Organizer
Health Care is a Human Right Community Organizer Job Description This is a full time, exempt position. Benefits include ample paid sick time & vacation and health insurance. This is a one-year position starting on or about November 18, 2019 and ending on or about November 13, 2020. This position is housed within the Southern…
Read MoreJune 10, 2019
Rep. Larry Lockman’s Scapegoating and Fearmongering are Intended to Keep Maine too Paralyzed to Envision a Better Future
By Peggy Marchand, Health Care is a Human Right Committee Member The Southern Maine Workers’ Center endorsed LD 1317, “An Act To Restore Services To Help Certain Noncitizens Meet Their Basic Needs”, as part of our Health Care is Human Right campaign. We believe all people should get the health care they need, and are…
Read MoreMay 28, 2019
We Applaud Progress on Paid Time Off & Pledge Continued Work to Ensure Protections for All Maine Workers
Southern Maine Workers’ Center and Maine Women’s Lobby Statement on LD 369 Groups Applaud Progress, Pledge Continued Work to Ensure Protections for All Maine Workers Now that Governor Mills has signed LD 369 into law, Maine will become the 12th state in the country to enact a version of a paid sick time policy, and…
Read MoreMay 20, 2019
Dental Care Is Healthcare And Healthcare Is A Human Right
The Maine legislature is considering a bill that would provide access to basic dental care for adults and children on MaineCare. “An Act To Improve Dental Health for Maine Children and Adults with Low Incomes” (LD-1453) would be an important step forward for Maine. As someone who’s been impacted by not having access to dental…
Read MoreMay 8, 2019
Portland City Council Plays Politics With 9,000 Workers’ Health
May 8th, 2019 Statement of the Southern Maine Workers’ Center On Monday, the Portland City Council voted 5-4 to reject an ordinance that would have guaranteed earned paid sick days for all Portland workers, regardless of whether they’re part-time, temporary, per diem, or seasonal. City Councilors Spencer Thibodeau (who is running for mayor), Justin Costa…
Read MoreApril 23, 2019
Earned paid sick days: Portland should not wait for the state, unedited
I’ve been involved in the campaign to pass a universal earned paid sick time ordinance in the city of Portland since late June 2017. Over nearly twenty two months, I’ve been impressed by the growth in our coalition and the snowballing of public involvement in the campaign. After the most recent city council hearing, where…
Read MoreJanuary 9th, 2019
NOW- Paid sick days in Portland
The comittee of health and human services will vote on an ordinance that makes sick pay for all in portland a reality.
Read MoreJanuary 9th, 2019
Hearing on Portland’s paid sick leave proposal draws overflow crowd
Dozens of people on both sides of Portland’s proposed paid sick leave ordinance testified Tuesday night before the City Council’s Health and Human Services Committee, the crowd filling both the downstairs and upstairs seating areas of the council chambers. The public hearing went on for more than three hours, but a final recommendation to the…
Read MoreJanuary 9th, 2019
Portland panel to press on with paid sick leave plan after dozens weigh in
Supporters of a proposal to create a paid sick leave ordinance in Portland won a victory Tuesday night when a city committee agreed to create a universal policy for both large and small businesses. But the ordinance has yet to be voted on, and several employers say that a paid sick leave mandate would unfairly…
Read MoreJanuary 9th, 2019
Dozens Weigh In On Portland’s Proposed Paid Sick Leave Ordinance
Supporters of a proposal to create a paid sick leave ordinance in Portland won a victory Tuesday night when a city committee agreed to create a universal policy for both large and small businesses. But the ordinance has yet to be voted on, and several employers say that a paid sick leave mandate would unfairly…
Read MoreJanuary 9th, 2019
Portland hosts hearing on paid sick leave proposal
The Health and Human Services Committee hosted a public hearing in Portland on a proposal to require businesses to offer paid sick leave to employees. The proposal would allow both part-time and full-time workers to earn six days off. Those who support it say it would help reduce the spread of viruses and help families…
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