AUGUSTA – On Tuesday, Rep. Mike Ray, D-Lincolnville, introduced LD 1268, which seeks to address recruitment and retention issues within the Maine State Ferry Service by providing a yearly stipend to all employees.
“This bill is a small step towards making ferry crew wages commensurate with the going industry wage,” said Ray. “Right now, a licensed mariner can make substantially more money going offshore or working on an oil rig than they can crewing for the State Ferry Service. This bill encourages more candidates to stay here and work here.”
If passed, LD 1268 would direct the Maine Department of Transportation to provide an annual stipend to employees beginning on January 1, 2026. The stipend would be calculated in an amount equal to $5.00 per hour multiplied by the total hours the employee worked the previous year. The bill also prohibits the department from raising ferry tolls in order to pay for the stipend.
“Our members at the Maine State Ferry Service have testified in front of the Legislature numerous times over the past few years about how low pay impacts their ability to recruit and retain quality workers,” said Beth White, director of politics and legislation for the Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union, during the public hearing.
A work session on the bill will be scheduled in the coming days.
Ray is serving his first term in the Maine House and represents Appleton, Islesboro, Liberty, Lincolnville, Montville, Morrill and Searsmont. He is a member of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Ray) | 305-965-2744