Illustration of a diverse group of workers on a WPA poster-style background of a coastal Maine scene. Text reads: Celebrate Solidarity.

Celebrating Solidarity in Maine

Date: Monday, August 31, 2026 - 11:00

Dear Neighbors,

Labor Day is right around the corner. As we soak in the last few weeks of summer, we're also honoring a day that belongs to working people who understand what it means to stand together to protect each other, our rights, and our freedoms.

The workers who feed, clean, build, and care for Maine are Black, white, brown, immigrant, Indigenous, rural, and urban, from every background. All of the rights, freedoms, and protections we have, we only have because of working people who stood up for each other to win them. That means choosing solidarity across every line drawn to separate us.

This month, we're sharing information about Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave program, an update on the ongoing work to protect our neighbors, a cookbook from community Storytelling as Solidarity Suppers, and upcoming events of interest. Happy Labor Day!

In Solidarity,
The Permanent Commission

Paid Family & Medical Leave

The Maine Department of Labor has released new guidance for workers on Paid Family and Medical Leave, along with a Getting Ready to Apply guide. Translated versions are available on the Department's website.

The Work of Protecting our Neighbors

Mainers have been organizing to protect each other from the increasing federal threat for months, through the fear of the surge in January, the uncertainty of sustained action since, and the grief of losing our Biddeford neighbor, Johan, in July. The coalition of organizations and volunteers doing that work is what solidarity looks like. They have recently shared new resources to spread awareness and get involved.

The hotline connects callers with rapid response and legal support.
The sightings map is a community-maintained record of federal enforcement activity across Maine.
A report on ICE apprehensions and detentions in Maine surrounding the January surge, with analysis showcasing operational failure, community impact, and goals for the future.

When Everyone is At The Table

Between January and June, the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition, Community Plate, Presente!Maine, Maine Climate Action Now, and the Maine Council of Churches hosted three Storytelling as Solidarity community potluck suppers, which the Permanent Commission was proud to sponsor. Neighbors gathered in Houlton, Blue Hill, and Harrison, three parts of Maine outside the host organizations' usual networks, to share food and hear from both multigenerational and New Mainer storytellers. More than 100 people came to the tables.

Take a look at the cookbook.

Community Events

September 7, Labor Day

Portland: Southern Maine Labor Council Annual Labor Day Breakfast. For questions and tickets before Friday, September 4, contact Elizabeth O'Connor at bondocon@atlanticbb.net.

Skowhegan: Central Maine Labor Council Labor Day BBQ.

Brewer: Eastern Maine Labor Council's 23rd Annual Labor Day Celebration.