This bill, sponsored by Sen. Troy Jackson and signed into law on June 7, 2019, ensures loggers and wood haulers have the right to bargain collectively. Loggers have been prohibited under the Sherman Antitrust Act from joining together to bargain collectively over rates, benefits and working conditions, and were often forced to accept unfair contract rates for their services and subject to exploitation, mistreatment and unsafe working conditions. This laws makes loggers eligible for inclusion under an existing state law that lets farmers negotiate collectively for sale their produce, even though they are independent businesses.

Why it matters to working people.

Ninety-five percent of Maine’s forest is privately owned and 61% of it is owned by private companies. As a result, these large landowners are able to exert tremendous power over woods workers, dictating when and how much wood is cut, so loggers have no power to negotiate the price of their labor.

What people are saying.

"The only way to fix the power imbalance between huge land owners and individual workers is to organize. This bill gives loggers and haulers the freedom to band together and bargain for a better life." —Matt Schlobohm, executive director of the Maine AFL-CIO

“For too long, Maine loggers and wood haulers have been taken advantage of by large landowners, who hold significant power over these workers and their ability to provide for their families. This bill will right this wrong by giving these workers the same rights as everybody else.” —Sen. President Troy Jackson

“Being part of a union and having a collective bargaining agreement gives me competitive wages, a pension, health care, job security, paid holidays and, in my 10th year of service, I receive four-plus weeks paid vacation to spend with my family. Being part of a union and having a collective bargaining agreement also gives me representation to deter unfair labor practices.” —Machinists (IAM) Local S6 member Josh Johnstone