All posts by Maine at Work

Maine at Work

About Maine at Work

Karen Bilodeau and Ben Grant are attorneys at the workers' rights law firm McTeague Higbee. With experience in both state and federal courts including national litigation, they have particular prominence in labor and employment litigation, workers' compensation, and construction accidents. They use this blog to educate Mainers about their workers' and individual rights in a number of different legal matters. For more information, go to www.mcteaguehigbee.com.

In Case You Missed It: Governor LePage’s Top Policy Priority is Against Workers

In Wednesday night’s debate, the three candidates for Governor were asked their top policy priorities to get the economy moving quickly. Governor LePage gave two: reducing the cost of electricity and passing right-to-work legislation. Fast-forward to Thursday morning, and we find out that the IBEW and CWA workers at FairPoint have voted to strike. Irony is clearly not dead. […]

Record Dividends for MEMIC Policyholders Thanks, in Part, to Smaller Benefits for Workers

A recent article in the Bangor Daily News touted Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company (MEMIC) announcement that it was paying policy holders a “record” dividend of 18 million dollars. This is based on the company’s performance in 2011 and is on top of a 16 million dollar dividend paid last year. MEMIC is Maine’s largest […]

Mainers Need to Stand up to Republicans Trying to Take the Workers Compensation Act Down

Many of us are aware that the LePage Administration together with the Republican legislative members revamped the Workers’ Compensation Act for all injuries occurring after January 2013.  In doing so, they eliminated many rights that injured workers need when they are injured.  For the majority of injured workers, the changes mean they will only be […]

BACK TO SCHOOL

As we pass Labor Day many folks are returning to school. Colleges and graduate schools are great options for many people; but they are not for everyone. Vocational schooling is an excellent option for people who are skilled with their hands. Unfortunately, while work in the construction industry can be very rewarding,  it is also […]

Give Toxics the Boot

  Earlier this year, firefighters in Augusta, Maine joined together at the Augusta firehouse to bring attention to the need for stricter regulations on flame retardants and other toxic chemicals that firefighters believe are causing cancer and other diseases. Firefighting often exposes those battling the fire to a toxic blend of burning chemicals including dioxins, […]