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March 31, 2010

Report: Maine productivity up, wages down

By The Mainebiz News Staff

Maine's median income is not keeping pace with worker productivity, a new report from the Maine Center for Economic Policy says.

The report, "The state of working Maine: Choices for the recession and beyond," found that Maine's real gross state product outpaced both the U.S. and New England averages in 2008, but wages for low- and middle-income households have remained flat or shrunk since 2000. Maine's median hourly wage of about $15 is below both the New England and U.S. averages. "Maine workers are working harder and more productively than ever for lower real income and fewer benefits," report author and MECEP Associate Director Garrett Martin wrote.

The report calls for the state to invest in the work force by improving the property tax relief program, making sure the minimum wage is on par with wage growth and providing paid sick time. Lawmakers earlier this month nixed a bill that would have required businesses to provide sick time to workers.

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