Jobs and Income Pay transparency promotes equality and empowers workers During the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Mainers have increasingly recognized the value of their labor and demanded to be paid fairly. Workers in traditionally low-wage occupations, […] James Myall Posted May 4, 2023 Tags Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Jobs and Income Farmworkers deserve the same rights as all workers Workers are the engine of the economy, and they all deserve dignity, respect, and to be able to take care of themselves and their loved ones. Yet, […] Arthur Phillips Posted May 2, 2023 Tags Economic Security, Job Quality, Jobs, Racial Equity, Unions, Wages
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Report: Maine’s direct care system is facing a crisis due to poor pay and low staffing Stubbornly low wages have left the direct care workforce in Maine in a “fragile state,” leading to a significant labor shortage that has resulted in fewer available […] Beacon Posted April 27, 2023 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Economy, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Low pay for direct care workers is costing Maine millions, according to report Undervaluing the direct care workforce in Maine is costing the state millions each year, according to a new report from the progressive Maine Center for Economic Policy. […] Maine Public Posted April 27, 2023 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Economy, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Jobs and Income ‘We’re responsible for the history we make:’ Lawmakers push for migrant labor rights Maine is not the only state where lawmakers are trying to expand rights for farmworkers. Currently, 12 states guarantee collective bargaining rights to such workers. And in […] Beacon Posted April 19, 2023 Tags Economic Security, Immigration, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Continuing services budget provides stability to Maine communities and economy Two weeks ago, the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs decided the budget for the upcoming two years would be divided into two parts: a “continuing […] Josie Phillips Posted April 3, 2023 Tags Budget, Caregiving, Children, Education, Health Care, Wages
Jobs and Income Amid efforts to boost worker pay, Maine Republicans introduce 7 bills to roll back wages In the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers considered at least five GOP-led efforts to undercut the minimum wage. If they had been approved, James Myall, policy analyst at […] Beacon Posted January 19, 2023 Tags Incomes, Wages
Taxes and Budget New year, new budgets, new ways to put working families first In passing the 2023 budget plan, our representatives in Congress took an important step in providing the kinds of tools Maine working families said they need, including […] MECEP Posted January 5, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Tax Credit, Children, Education, Federal, Higher Education, Housing, Medicaid, Wages
Jobs and Income Maine, Portland minimum wages jump on Jan. 1 It is unclear how many workers this will affect – many businesses have already raised hourly wages for many positions to try to compete in a labor […] Portland Press Herald Posted January 2, 2023 Tags Minimum Wage, Wages
Jobs and Income Maine’s minimum wage to hit $13.80 on Jan. 1 Raising the minimum wage also helps other workers because employers are likely to bump up the pay of other hourly employees to keep up, said James Myall, […] Spectrum News Posted December 29, 2022 Tags Minimum Wage, Wages