MSEA files discrimination suit against state
The Maine State Employees Association has filed a lawsuit against the state alleging its decision to cut longevity pay for state workers last year discriminates against older workers.
The union first announced it would sue the state last September. The suit, filed in federal district court on behalf of union President Bruce Hodsdon and three other union members, claims the state violated the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the equal protection clauses in both the federal and state constitutions by eliminating longevity pay to shave $2.3 million off last year's budget, according to Capitol News Service. Longevity pay is given incrementally to state workers after 15 years and was restored in this budget year. MSEA attorney Jeffrey Young called the longevity pay cut "[balancing] the budget of the state on the backs of senior, long-term and older employees." The suit asks the court to find the state in violation of the act and equal protection clauses and return the $2.3 million to affected employees.
Maine Attorney General Janet Mills, however, called the lawsuit moot since the pay was restored this year, and said the state would "vigorously defend" its actions should MSEA formally serve the state with the lawsuit within 120 days, according to the news service. Lawmakers involved in the budget process said the move was necessary to avoid laying off state workers and dismissed the claims of age discrimination.
Go to the article from Capitol News Service >>
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