Hundreds Rally at July 1st Demonstrations for Central Maine Power Workers

July 1, 2009 - With the Independence Day holiday weekend looming, hundreds of Central Maine Power Company workers and union allies participated in rallies and informational demonstrations near CMP facilities in at least ten Maine towns and cities, including Alfred, Augusta, Bridgton, Brunswick, Fairfield, Farmington, Lewiston, Portland, Rockland and Rumford. The demonstrations were to call the public's attention to CMP's unwillingness to offer more than 650 workers at the electric utility a fair contract. The bargaining unit has been working without a contract since mid-May.

In spite of making a $55 million dollar profit last year and offering their top executives lavish compensation packages, CMP seeks to make cuts to their retiree medical plan and retirement plan for new hires. Occasionally chanting "Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Corporate Greed has Got to Go!" while participating in at least one demonstration, CMP workers were buoyed by the support of workers from MSEA-SEIU, USW, IATSE, AFSCME, CWA, AFGE, UAW, other local labor unions and Central Labor Councils.

Demonstrators lined Washington Avenue in Portland as two CMP lineworkers climbed a municipal utility pole to get the attention of passing motorists while other workers handed out fliers. State Senator Margaret Craven joined dozens of protesters in Lewiston while workers in Farmington held their first demonstration. Demonstrations in other communities have been going on for several weeks now and will continue in the days ahead.

"The turnout was really impressive as our workers turned out in big numbers to support their Negotiating Committee," said Assistant Business Manager Bill Dunn. "We were also grateful for the show of solidarity from other Maine labor unions and community allies."

From left, demonstrations in Portland, Brunswick, Rumford and Lewiston. Protestors gathered in many other towns & cities.