Your Union Works for You

Have you ever wondered what a union does?  Have you have asked “What does the union do for me?”  You may be surprised to know that the Brunswick Education Association (BEA), along with the MEA and NEA, has achieved many successes on behalf of employees. 

◊When staff members have experienced working conditions that do not provide for a safe and productive environment free of hostile behavior, the BEA has worked with and on behalf of those staff members to address the concerns and find resolutions.

◊When staff members found challenges meeting their personal financial obligations due to the payroll schedule and many reduced paychecks, the BEA problem-solved and worked with the business manager to introduce pay averaging.  On a state level, the MEA lobbied and staff from around the state testified in favor of a law making pay averaging a mandatory option for hourly employees.  The law became effective in September 2019.

◊When staff members have been asked to meet with administration about personnel matters, union representatives have been present, when asked, at those meetings to make sure that employee rights are honored.  See Weingarten Rights

◊When staff members were not receiving the professional development that would help them gain skills for their jobs and as required by their employee contract, the BEA advocated for valuable professional development opportunities to meet the needs of staff.  While some improvements have been made, the BEA continues to work to ensure that staff needs and contractual requirements are being met.

On a state level, the Maine Education Association works constantly to ensure that school employees are represented and their rights are recognized and honored.