Monday, September 3, 2007

Gains for workers must continue - Portland Press Herald

Labor Day celebrates our workers. This holiday dates from the late 19th century, when the country was changing from an agricultural economy to an industrial one and labor unions began organizing and advocating for America's workers.

The first Labor Day parade took place on Sept. 5, 1882, when 10,000 workers demanding better working conditions took unpaid leave to march in New York City. Congress legalized the holiday in 1894, after a turbulent labor strike at the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago drew attention to the issue of worker rights.
Maine has a rich, tumultuous labor history. At statehood in 1820, Maine's work force was mostly agricultural. Less than 7 percent of our workers were employed in commerce, called service and transportation now, and just over 11 percent were in manufacturing.

During the dramatic economic change of the 19th century, and despite the state's enduring reputation as having the hardest workers in the nation, working people were not necessarily well-treated or well-paid.

In 1888, the Maine State Bureau of Industrial and Labor Statistics (now the Department of Labor) engaged Flora Haines to assess conditions for women working in the state's shops and factories. The bureau's annual report that year includes comments like this one, from a cotton mill cloth inspector: "Scores of women with
families to raise and support have but barely enough for their work to keep hunger from their doors."

While wages were a primary concern for most workers, safety and other working conditions were also inadequate, if not downright dangerous.

A 92-year-old Lewiston man who worked as a boy in the Pepperell Mill is quoted in the Museum L-A's current exhibit, "Portraits & Voices: Workers of Seven Mills," in which he recalls another boy taking his place on a machine and losing a finger when he accidentally ran it between the rolls. "If they had had OSHA in those days, they would have made the company change lots of machines."

Reforms regulating child labor, safety, wages and hours at the state level occurred directly because of the tremendous sacrifices of Maine's workers, individually and collectively, along with support from lawmakers, cooperative businesses and responsive government.

Labor Day 2007 finds Maine's work force in transition. As in the 1800s, the economy is changing the character of the job market and the nature of the work force. Nonetheless, workers still want basic respect, a safe workplace, fair pay and benefits, opportunity for job advancement and a chance to make life better for themselves and their children.

Today presents a tough reality for Mainers who have lost the jobs they thought they'd be retiring from. Layoffs in the papermaking industry this summer are a recent and sad example. We acknowledge the challenges facing our work force and respond both compassionately and pragmatically.

Technology is transforming the way work is done. Nearly half of the jobs in Maine created by 2014 will require a college degree or a training certificate. We introduced Lifelong Learning Accounts so employers and employees can collaborate on paying for continuing education.

The Legislature recently approved the Competitive Skills Scholarship Fund, which helps low-income workers pay for tuition, books, equipment and support services to complete a degree or certificate program. Gov. John Baldacci signed this bill
and another, establishing the Opportunity Maine tax credit for college graduates who work in Maine while paying back their student loans.

The Maine Department of Labor helps laid-off workers with training through federal programs. By partnering with organized labor and businesses, we're keeping Maine's workers in our hearts and minds.

Without our workers, we have no economy. As the state, national and global economies evolve, we commit to ensuring that the entire work force has education and skills, a livable wage and health and safety protections. This is the best way to honor
Maine's workers.

On this holiday, let's honor past sacrifices and vow to help Maine's work force adapt and advance.

Laura Fortman, Maine Commissioner of Labor

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