Maine Legislature Rejects Anti-Union Bill

In a victory for labor unions and workers across Maine, the state legislature has defeated a so-called "Right-to-Work" bill in Augusta. An Act to Prohibit Labor Organizations from Imposing Mandatory Service Fees on Nonmembers (LD 187) aimed to weaken unions by allowing employees to opt out of paying dues while still benefiting from union-negotiated wages, benefits, and protections. Labor leaders warned that this “free rider” model would destabilize union funding and erode the collective power workers need to bargain effectively.

On May 7, 2025, the Maine House of Representatives voted 76–64 to accept the majority "Ought Not to Pass" report from the Labor and Housing Committee, effectively defeating LD 187 for this legislative session.

Members of IBEW Local 1837 were among those who spoke out strongly against the bill, highlighting how critical well-resourced unions are for ensuring fairness, safety, and transparency in the workplace—and how LD 187 would have undermined that work.

Elyse Bronson, a union steward and longtime member of IBEW 1837 who works in Maine’s electric utility sector, testified in front of the Labor Committee and underscored how union protections are essential in high-risk industries like hers—particularly for workers who may feel vulnerable speaking out on their own.

“I work in a male-dominated industry with unique safety concerns,” Bronson wrote. “I know what it’s like to be afraid to speak up. I also know the power of a collective voice and a good contract. Without the union, my concerns would be dismissed or ignored.”

She emphasized that LD 187 threatened to undermine the very protections that keep workplaces safe and ethical.

“The unions who support us are critical to making this happen. They protect safe working conditions, safe staffing, and ethical work environments. When a large group of workers shares this focus, the customers and the company reap the benefits.”

Kaitlyn Hegarty, a Business Representative for IBEW 1837 and a longtime member, also submitted testimony opposing the bill. She reflected on how union contracts dramatically improved working conditions in her previous career in the broadcast industry—benefits that extended to all workers, regardless of union membership.

“I started my career in broadcasting, which for many can mean working odd shifts—including countless overnights—facing low pay in expensive cities and covering stressful situations. In that environment, I was one of the many who benefited tremendously from the collective power of my union. My contract protected me from having my schedule changed without proper notice—allowing me to plan my life—enforced minimum staffing requirements to avoid burnout and unexpected layoffs in what can be a volatile industry and secured guaranteed step-raises and percentage raises each year, something that is often not guaranteed at many television stations across the country.”

The defeat of LD 187 also marks the second major rejection of "Right-to-Work" proposals in northern New England this year. Just across the border, similar legislation was also voted down in New Hampshire, delivering another key victory for IBEW 1837 and its labor allies.

(Photo Courtesy: Maine AFL-CIO)