We must continue to put the famous Maine work ethic to work to improve the lives of all Mainers.

Rising unemployment, home foreclosures, unaffordable fuel and heating oil: these tidings of our nation’s economic downturn under the Bush administration’s failed policies were hardly cause for celebration this Labor Day. However, when misfortune becomes the common thread of a people, their solidarity can unravel policies that have put them at a disadvantage and failed the common good. This solidarity is central to the history of Labor Day and to Maine’s commitment to empower and protect the rights of our workforce.

Maine’s economy has long been in transition from a manufacturing base to an era of information technology, goods and services, tourism, and green jobs. Inevitably, such a significant shift poses many challenges to Maine’s workforce. The employees of Maine’s new small business economy, like restaurant servers, child-care providers, and retail clerks are more isolated than workers of the past, which inhibits their ability to band together for a strong, united voice at the table of business negotiations.

This challenge has been aggravated by policies enacted by Republican presidents and Congresses to weaken workers rights and funnel prosperity to a privileged few. Those policies value record profits over fair pay and benefits for the people who make profit possible.

Maine’s renowned work ethic and active unions have made this state less susceptible to anti-union sentiments that plague other manufacturing regions. Nonetheless, we are seeing efforts by big business to intimidate Maine’s elected officials into turning their backs on Maine unions. The big business lobby is spending millions to run attack ads in states where strong Democratic candidates are challenging Republicans for Congress.

Imagine if big business spent a comparable amount on improving the lives of their workers.

Maine Democrats understand when an economy is transitioning and the business climate undervalues employees, it is the duty of elected representatives to protect worker rights and ensure safe conditions and fair compensation.

Our state has consistently led the nation on this front.

While the federal government froze the minimum wage for a decade, Maine made its minimum wage more livable and continues to do so. Last session, the Legislature increased the state minimum wage to $7.25 per-hour starting this October, and to $7.50 in October 2009. In contrast, the federal minimum wage is $6.55 and will not rise above $7 until July 2009.

We also closed a loophole that allowed managers of domestic workers to pay them below minimum wage.

For the 26,000 Mainers earning minimum wage, the difference between the Maine and federal minimum wages often means the difference between covering their basic necessities and needing state assistance to get by.

The Legislature also recognized a worker’s rights encompass more than fair wages. We allowed the state to recognize a union of child-care providers and enter into negotiations with them. People tasked with caring for children had little opportunity to interact with colleagues, which left them voiceless on policies affecting their livelihoods and our children’s safety and well-being. This new law acknowledges the critical role quality child care plays in permitting our working parents to hold good jobs.

Though Republicans voted to oppose these workers’ right to organize, we reached strong bipartisan consensus on amending family medical leave laws to ensure a worker never must choose between keeping their job and caring for their family.

The new laws provide leave for an employee if their spouse is killed or injured while serving in the armed forces, or if a domestic partner or sibling suffers from a serious health condition or dies while on active military duty.

As Maine’s economy diversifies, the state’s responsibility to its working men and women does too, and so too must the skills of our workforce. We need to build the economy from within and provide educational opportunities to put men and women back to work in the new industries burgeoning in Maine.

We need to continue increasing not only the minimum wage but the average income, because economic health is inextricably linked to worker well-being.

In recognition of Labor Day, we must continue to put that famous Maine work ethic to work to improve the lives of all Maine people.

Rep. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, represents House District 74 and is the Democratic candidate for Maine Senate District 16.