Paul Gilbert named as recipient of our 2026 MSEA-SEIU Lifetime Achievement Award

MSEA-SEIU President Mark Brunton and MSEA-SEIU Retirees Steering Committee Chair Ginette Rivard present our 2026 MSEA-SEIU Lifetime Achievement Award to MSEA-SEIU Retiree Member Paul Gilbert, third from right, shown with his wife, Jean, at right.

By Ginette Rivard
Chair, MSEA-SEIU Retirees Steering Committee

This year’s recipient is no stranger to most of us. In fact, many call this person “friend.” During a stellar career as a State of Maine public servant this recipient understood the value of union and made sure everyone, coworker or client, was treated with solidarity worthy of a union family. In this capacity, this recipient supported working men and women and their families making sure they received all that they needed and deserved with honesty, integrity and compassion.

This recipient lived solidarity and brought it to the workplace. This recipient could have written the book on New Employee Orientations; a model we strive for today. As a member of one of our smaller chapters, this recipient did not hesitate to take on leadership roles. One might say this recipient has done it all: Chapter President, Vice President, Secretary, Delegate, Alternate, Director, PASER member, Member Political Organizer, Committee Member; it can be said that this member could write the book, so to speak. This member understood the importance of electing legislators who would have our back and never failed to step up to help recruit and elect labor friendly candidates.

This recipient’s Chapter President has said that this is “a person that I go to when I need advice concerning how to get things done or to affect change. This is one of the most respected persons I personally know.”

I met this recipient for the first time at registration at my first Annual Meeting. We all remember that first Annual Meeting, don’t we, excited and unsure of what to do next. This recipient quickly put me at ease and guided me and other delegates. I am proud and humbled that we are friends to this day. Allow me to introduce this year’s recipient, after which I will continue telling you why this was the unanimous choice of the selection committee.

Brothers and Sisters, please join me in congratulating the 2026 recipient of the MSEA SEIU Local 1989 Lifetime Achievement Award: Brother Paul Gilbert.

Now let me tell you some more about Paul. While he was a stellar role model during his career, retirement did not sideline him. He has remained active in the Western Mountain Retirees Chapter making sure there are enough members to maintain this as a viable chapter. That’s not so easy in rural Maine. He continues as a PASER member, having served on the PASER Committee several times. On the Board of Directors, Paul was the soft voice that commanded the attention and respect of his brothers and sisters around the table.

In 2002, shortly after his retirement, Paul joined the HEROES program, a 7-month project dedicated to electing labor friendly candidates. Paul was a leader among his fellow Member Political Organizers. Whether it was rallies, phone banks, parades, canvassing where he encountered one particular, not so friendly dog, Paul was usually among the first to show up. His sense of how to approach the work was invaluable to his team.

Fast forward a few years, and Paul and his wife Jean could be found in the Board Room on State Street, stuffing envelopes for whatever mailing had to go out. They were often accompanied by our dear friend, the late Jackie Roach.

Throughout his career, Paul was dedicated to improving the lives of workers everywhere, first at the Maine Department of Labor all while serving as a loyal union member and activist. In retirement he continued this line of service in the Legislature on the Labor Committee and on the Joint Select Committee on Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future. Paul was true to his beliefs. He not only talked the talk. He truly walked the walk.

During his eight years in the Maine Legislature, Paul was a voice for union members and working families. He was never afraid to ruffle a few feathers if it meant that justice would be served for those in need. He was deeply respected by members of both parties because of his honesty and integrity. His service on the Labor Committee occurred during an administration that was anything but worker friendly. Nonetheless, Paul gave voice to workers even when he knew his bills would not pass or be signed into law. For Paul, it was just as important to elevate the issues, give voice to them. Here are a few examples of bills he submitted:

•  Phasing out of payment of subminimum wages to workers with disabilities;
•  Removal of the penalty for state retirees working at institutions that are closing;
•  Better coordination between mental health agencies and law enforcement.

Of his time in the Legislature, Maine poet laureate Wes McNair wrote of Paul in 2012, “In spite of Republican bills in the last session that cut funds for workers’ rights, health care, education, and family planning, Gilbert stood up for working people, students, seniors and women, and helped to moderate cuts in programs for people with disabilities, Maine Public Broadcasting and the state police.” That’s quite a testimonial coming from a Maine poet laureate at that.

Paul is a strong believer that every vote counts. He believed it when he ran for the Legislature all four times. He believes it every November. Tonight, we honor Paul for his lifetime achievements, though I am convinced we have not seen all that he can and will do. What better way for us to honor our brother than to make sure every vote in this room is counted on November 3^rd.

At this time, I would ask Paul to come up. I would invite his wife Jean to join him on stage for this recognition.