LePage, union reach shutdown pact
Gov. Paul LePage and state workers say they’ve reached a framework deal outlining how to handle layoffs of federally funded state workers as a result of the federal government shutdown. The state has 2,739 state workers who receive some portion of their pay from federal sources.
The Portland Press Herald reported the state would continue to pay for its workers’ health benefits during the layoff period; state employees would be able to collect unemployment payments without actively seeking work; and employees would be paid with accrued vacation or leave time if the federal government doesn't provide back pay after the shutdown ends.
Tension over a deal with state workers was perpetuated, however, after a recording was released of LePage’s comments made during a private event. In the recording, LePage told a conservative women’s group at the Dockside Grill in Falmouth that he had declared a state of civil emergency in order to invalidate the state workers’ contract for the duration of the government shutdown. He said union officials indicated they would consider suing the state depending on its response to the federal shutdown.
A representative for the governor declined to comment about the recording and union officials denied they had threatened to file a lawsuit against the state. Chris Quint, executive director of the Maine State Employees Association, also told the paper that the civil emergency declaration does not give the governor the ability to retroactively curb the union’s contract rights.
The New York Times reported Wednesday morning that lawmakers in Washington are expected to have a bipartisan bill to end the shutdown and, separately, avoid a default on the federal government’s bills, by the end of the day.
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