AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee voted Tuesday in unanimous support of a measure sponsored by Rep. Bill Pluecker, D-Warren, that would remove the age requirement for retirement for certain Department of Corrections (DOC) staff.
Currently, some employees who work with prisoners, probationers, parolees or juvenile offenders can retire after 25 years of service, regardless of their age. Depending on when they were hired, other correctional staff are not afforded that same privilege and are required to reach a certain age before they can retire. This bill would establish parity between the groups, ensuring that employees who have served for 25 years, regardless of their age, are eligible for retirement.
"The work of our correctional officers is often dangerous and thankless," said Pluecker. "By providing our newer COs with the same pension benefits that many other law enforcement officials enjoy, we are doing right by those officers, the residents of our prisons and our communities more broadly who depend upon these individuals for our collective safety."
"Maine State Government as a whole, and DOC in particular, is experiencing staffing shortages, challenges hiring new workers and excessive turnover among existing workers," said representatives of MESA-SEIU Local 1989. "This legislation would go a long way towards helping to recruit and retain qualified employees within the Department of Corrections and ensuring continuity in the quality public services that Maine people count on."
The bill faces further votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Pluecker serves as House Chair of the Legislature's Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee and represents House district 44, which includes Hope, Union and Warren.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Pluecker], 305-965-2744