PORTLAND, Maine, — September 3, 2013 — The state's newest labor union was celebrated Monday during the Southern Maine Labor Council's annual Labor Day breakfast at the Irish Heritage Center.
Rock Alley of Jonesport, president of the new Maine Lobstermen's Union, said he was overwhelmed by the support lobster fishermen across the state have received as they pushed forward their grassroots effort to organize.
"It just blew my mind away. It was incredible to see what was available for support for lobster fishermen," Alley told the 150 workers, labor leaders and elected officials at the breakfast.
Doug Born, president of the Southern Maine Labor Council, said every Labor Day is "a good excuse to get together with our fellow union brethren and enjoy solidarity." This Labor Day had even more reason to celebrate because of the new lobstermen's union, he said.
"In this day and age, it's highly unusual (to see a new union), especially with such a historically independent group," he said. "It's a real treat that we have a new union in Maine. The collective voice is a stronger voice. It's given voice to workers who literally had no voice. They now have the ability to speak out and be heard."
Alley said between 500 and 600 lobster fishermen have joined the new union, with more expressing interest. They held their first meeting last month in Vinalhaven, about seven months after Alley first heard of the idea of organizing. The meeting included lobstermen from Machiasport, Jonesport, Stonington, Boothbay, Vinalhaven and other fishing communities.