Jared Golden on Jobs

Stronger unions lead to a stronger middle-class

• Jared is a labor Democrat who believes that our economy does well when workers at all levels are treated with dignity through fair compensation and benefits. He knows that stronger unions lead to a stronger middle-class in America. While in Congress, he has:
• Led a coalition to push for the passage of the PRO Act, one of the most significant pro-labor bills in a generation.
• Gone to bat for Maine's heritage industries.
• Used his position on the House Small Business Committee to highlight the need to invest in rural infrastructure, including broadband, to help Maine businesses and communities succeed.

Fought for fair and equal pay, in state legislature

In the Marines, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, I learned what leadership is--it's putting those you lead or represent first. I worked for Senator Susan Collins as a professional staff member before being elected to the legislature. I work across the aisle, with my Republican colleagues and Governor LePage, to find common ground and get the job done for Mainers.

Don't limit tipped workers to half minimum wage

Legislative outcome:Passed Senate 23-12-0; Roll Call #246; Jun/7/17; Passed House 110-37-4; Roll Call #302; Jun/13/17; Rep. Golden voted YES; Signed by Governor Paul LePage, Jun/23/17

Restrict employer's access to employee social media accounts

Summary by Littler-Mendelson P.C.: Maine has now enacted legislation that restricts an employer's ability to demand information regarding an employee's or job applicant's social media account. The Act expressly prohibits employers from requiring or requesting an employee or job applicant provide the employer with the password or other means of accessing his or her social media accounts. Governor LePage attempted to veto 65 bills including the Act. Maine lawmakers argued that the Governor missed the veto deadline; the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that all 65 bills had become law.

Legislative outcome:Passed House 83-60-8, Roll Call #136 on Jun/2/15; Golden voted YES; Passed Senate 35-0-0, Roll Call #127 on Jun/3/15; Vetoed by Governor Paul LePage Jul/16/15

Sponsored bill for strengthening union organizing.

H.R.842 & S.420: Protecting the Right to Organize Act: This bill expands various labor protections related to employees' rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace:

1. revises the definitions of employee, supervisor, and employer to broaden the scope of individuals covered by the fair labor standards;
2. permits labor organizations to encourage participation of union members in strikes initiated by employees represented by a different labor organization (i.e., secondary strikes); and
3. prohibits employers from bringing claims against unions that conduct such secondary strikes.

Biden Administration in SUPPORT: The Administration strongly supports The PRO Act. America was not built by Wall Street. It was built by the middle class, and unions built the middle class. Unions put power in the hands of workers. H.R. 842 would strengthen and protect workers' right to form a union by assessing penalties on employers who violate workers' right to organize.

Rep. Mo Brooks in OPPOSITION: H.R. 842 [is] a radical union bill that tramples the rights of citizens by forcing them to enter into union servitude, including:

• Overturns right-to-work laws in 27 states, thereby forcing citizens, against their will, to pay millions of dollars in dues to labor unions.
• Denies citizens' rights to vote by secret ballot on whether to join a union by imposing a biased "card-check" scheme.
• Deprives individuals of entrepreneurial opportunities. The PRO Act would eliminate the franchise industry and sharing economy as we know them.