The Maine AFL-CIO published its 2012 Working Families Legislative Scorecard this week and has mailed it to 40,000 active and retired workers across the state. Scorecard available here:

The scorecard is a sixteen page, in-depth look at a number of the bills before the 125th Legislature that were of greatest importance to working families. Eight roll call votes were scored in both the Senate and the House, and a total score was given to each legislator based on their voting record.

In addition to the actual scores, the publication includes descriptions of the bills so members can be informed about the policies being debated in Augusta that would impact their lives.

“The second year of the 125th Legislature was much like the first. The majority continued to pass bills that undermine workers’ rights and livelihoods instead of putting Mainers back to work by creating jobs. Our members need to know how their legislators voted,” said Don Berry, President of the Maine AFL-CIO. “We’re excited to have improved the Scorecard again this year and to be reaching a wide audience by mailing it out to 40,000 working families across the state.”

Some of the bills that were scored include: LD 1207, a removal of collective bargaining rights for egg factory farm workers; LD 1913, a weakening of workers compensation; LD 1725, a weakening of unemployment insurance; and the State Budget.

Additionally, the scorecard includes a “Noteworthy Actions” section of significant behind the scenes actions by individual legislators that made a difference but were not reflected in scores.

The full scorecard can be found on the Maine AFL-CIO website.

The Maine AFL-CIO is a statewide federation of more than 160 local labor unions in Maine. We represent some 30,000 active members in Maine and thousands of additional retirees. Our members work in paper mills, shipyards, hospitals, construction sites, utilities, delivering public services, and many other industries across the state.