BMDA Members Join Maine AFL-CIO's Labor Lobby Day

Two weeks ago, the Maine AFL-CIO had a strong turnout for Labor Lobby Day, with about 170 union members flooding the State House to talk with their legislators about key labor priorities. Over 60 of those members—including 16 members of the Bath Marine Draftsman’s Association (UAW Local 3999)—attended the one-day event at the State House for the first time.

At Labor Lobby Day, members learned about the AFL-CIO's priorities to lower child care costs, tax the rich, pay state employees fairly, protect rural maternity care, and more. Josh Tymoczko, one of the BMDA members who participated, recently got more involved in the union and had never been to Labor Lobby Day until this year. As BMDA began gearing up for contract negotiations with Bath Iron Works, he decided to volunteer to become a strike captain.

Josh was able to talk to his State Representative about making affordable child care more accessible with a delegation of workers from his region in the packed halls outside the House of Representatives chamber. He recommended that every union member go to Labor Lobby Day at least once to understand what goes on up in Augusta. “I think it's kind of eye opening for a lot of people when they see how their legislators are on labor issues,” he said.

In the afternoon Josh was part of a group that met with House Majority Matt Moonen (D-Portland) and Assistant House Majority Leader Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach) to discuss labor legislation. He also updated the legislative leaders on contract negotiations for his union at BIW and the issues at play in their contract.

Read more about Labor Lobby Day from the Maine AFL-CIO.