Members of the largest state workers’ union in Maine endorse Hannah Pingree for Governor

Members of the Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union (MSEA-SEIU Local 1989), the largest union of state workers in Maine, have endorsed Hannah Pingree for Governor in the November 3^rd general elections.

“By electing a leader like Hannah Pingree as Governor, I see an opportunity for working class people, who have been struggling for so long, to not just see the possibility of being able to sustain their lives, but to actually be able to get ahead,” said Elizabeth O’Connor, an MSEA retiree member from Sanford and member of the union’s PASER Committee, Political Action by Service Employees and Retirees. “Hannah understands that the lack of quality, affordable healthcare is harming Mainers, and she will work to change that. Hannah listens to what Mainers need; she will make working families, retirees and all Mainers her priority.”

During her time in the Maine Legislature, Hannah consistently supported workers’ rights and labor unions, including MSEA-SEIU Local 1989, earning a 100% voting record from the Maine AFL-CIO.  A former speaker of the Maine House of Representatives who served four terms in the Maine Legislature, she advocated for the quality services Maine people count on; she enacted into law protections for pregnant women and children from toxic chemicals, and protections for firefighters. She understands the importance of community service, having served on her local school board and on the Island Institute’s board of trustees.

“On North Haven, her hometown, Hannah sees state workers providing the essential services that keep our state going every day,” said retired ferry boat captain Peter Drury of Vinalhaven, an MSEA retiree member who worked for 28 years for the Maine State Ferry Service. “Her knowledge of the issues facing working families across the state, gained from her years in the State House, will inform her administration in every department.”

Jeff Doyon of Winslow, a member of the union’s PASER Committee and a longtime employee at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, said, “Hannah Pingree will make a great Governor and I’m glad we have endorsed her. Hannah supports the right to strike for public sector workers (with the exemption of public safety workers) and binding arbitration on economic issues. Executive branch workers have been without a contract for over a year; if we had the right to strike and binding arbitration, we wouldn’t be in this situation. Hannah knows the needs of working Mainers and she’ll fight for all of us when she’s elected Governor in November.”

“I’ve been proud to stand with MSEA SEIU Local 1989 and Maine state workers as a state legislator and Speaker of the House. I’m honored by their endorsement in this important election for governor. State workers keep Maine running, and communities thrive when these essential workers are respected, valued and treated as partners. That’s the kind of economy and the kind of state I want to build in Maine,” said Hannah Pingree upon accepting the endorsement.

“As governor, I will work tirelessly to build a positive, collaborative relationship with state workers. We need to ensure that all workers are respected throughout the bargaining process. State workers deserve fair, timely contracts and I look forward to working together to get that done.”

Members of the MSEA-SEIU Board of Directors voted to endorse Hannah Pingree after a process that included a candidate questionnaire, a gubernatorial candidate panel and interviews.

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The Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union, represents over 13,000 Maine workers, including workers in all three branches of Maine State Government, municipal and county government, and nonprofit agencies.