State, union deadlock on contract
Talks between the state and its largest union, the Maine State Employees Association, broke off last week on the eve of the contract's June 30 expiration.
Negotiations between the state and the union, which represents nearly 10,000 employees, ended just before midnight on Thursday without an agreement, according to press releases from both parties. A press release from Gov. Paul LePage's office says MSEA proposed a two-year extension of the existing contract, while the state countered with a one-year extension with modified terms. Sticking points have been compensation for workers engaged in union activities and the elimination of a telephone subsidy.
The union said the state's team walked away from negotiations Thursday night, but the governor's office denies that allegation, saying the team left because talks had ended. It's unclear when the parties will reconvene; the state said it's ready to resume talks immediately, but accuses the union of being "unable or unwilling to provide future negotiating dates." However, Chris Quint, the union's executive director, said MSEA is reaching out to the state to set up future bargaining sessions, according to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.
Meanwhile, two other unions agreed to contract extensions. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union, which represents about 1,000 Department of Corrections and Department of Health and Human Services employees, approved a one-year extension of its current labor agreement that ended June 30. Additionally, the Maine State Police approved a tentative two-year contract extension, with a full membership vote scheduled for this week.
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