With negotiations on hold, state workers take protest for higher wages to governor's mansion

Rebekah Spencer stood on the steps of the governor’s mansion Tuesday evening with her 22-month-old daughter on her left hip and a sign in her right hand that read, “Respect state service.”

Spencer, 30, works as a career center consultant for the state, a position she says she took a demotion for three and a half years ago because she felt the work connecting people to stable employment was important. After her shift on Tuesday, she picked up her daughter from daycare as usual but instead of heading home to Whitefield, she headed down State Street.

Spencer was among about 20 state employees and staff of the Maine Service Employees Association-Service Employees International Union Local 1989 who picketed outside of the Blaine House — the latest in a series of actions calling on Gov. Janet Mills to raise state employee wages.

MSEA executive branch employees have been working without a contract since midnight on June 30, and earlier this month, their regular negotiation meetings ceased when state officials requested mediation from a neutral third party to help reach an agreement. Several union members and their bargaining team said the request is welcomed since the union has been unable to reach an agreement.

Read more: https://mainemorningstar.com/2023/09/27/with-negotiations-on-hold-state-workers-take-protest-for-higher-wages-to-governors-mansion/