Two Maine labor groups are advocating to vote no on Question 3 this November. The question, if passed by voters, would replace CMP and Versant with Pine Tree Power as the state’s public power.
According to the Portland Press Herald, the Maine AFL-CIO and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) that collectively represent over 40,000 workers, oppose the establishment of Pine Tree Power. They worry it will change the status of workers from private to public, altering their workers’ rights.
Supporters of Pine Tree Power say if the ballot measure is approved, the company will contract with a private company, maintaining their employees’ private worker status.
The IBEW, however, said it’s received legal advice that disputes Pine Tree Power’s claim. Becoming private workers would mean losing the right to strike, which the IBEW says they use the threat of work stoppage as a tool in contract negotiations.
Leadership of the unions also claim Pine Tree Power would be unable to maintain the grid like they say and would be responsible for billions of dollars in debt.
In a press conference Friday, Pine Tree Power supporters said passing Question 3 would mean lower electric rates and better grid reliability, which, according to CBS 13, they say has had positive impacts in other states with consumer-owned utilities.
“Why wouldn’t you want to have a say in how your utility operates?” John Clark, former head of Houlton Water Co said. “It’s that simple.”
Maine Affordable Energy Coalition, which is funded by CMP’s parent company, responded in a statement saying there are no guarantees that Pine Tree Power would bring down rates and offer better grid reliability like they claim.
