AUGUSTA — The largest union representing state workers filed a complaint Monday alleging that the Mills administration is engaging in bad faith bargaining tactics.

The Maine Service Employees Association, which represents 10,000 state workers, filed a complaint with the Maine Labor Relations Board, according to a press release from the union.

The complaint alleges that the administration prematurely declared that negotiations were at an impasse, that it canceled bargaining sessions and that it took other actions to “frustrate the collective bargaining process,” according to the union.

The MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 is negotiating two-year contracts that expired in June. The bargaining units include administrative services; operations, maintenance and support services; professional-technical services and supervisory services. 

At issue is what the union describes as state wages that aren’t competitive, leading to problems with recruitment and retention.

“Unfortunately, after nearly a year of trying to get the administration to negotiate in good faith for our contracts, last month, the administration chose to declare a premature impasse without even bothering to discuss a third of the proposals we put forward,” union president Mark Brunton said in a release. “They simply refuse to listen to our members and respond to our concerns.”

Gov. Janet Mills’ office referred questions to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.

"The State disputes each allegation referenced in MSEA’s complaint," department spokesperson Sharon Huntley said in a written response, adding that "The State has not engaged in regressive bargaining."

MSEA has been available to meet only twice since mediation was requested on Oct. 1, Huntley stated.

"The Mills Administration has made significant progress in the compensation of State of Maine employees," Huntley said, "totaling a 24 percent average wage increase across state government."

The union says state employees make 14% less than those in similar jobs in the private sector, leading to understaffing and vacancies. 

Over the last five years, the pay gap has improved just 1%, the union says.

“One-percent progress in five years is, quite frankly, ridiculous,” said union vice-president Kevin Russell. “The administration can, and must, do better.”