March 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…
Read MoreJanuary 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…
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