AUGUSTA — After 11 months without a contract, a union representing state workers is calling on the Mills administration to settle a dispute over pay.

The Maine Service Employees Association, which represents 9,000 state workers, says it is willing to accept a compromise put forward by an independent panel.

The fact-finding report proposes a 2.5% wage increase in the first year, with a $1,250 signing bonus. For year two, it proposes a 3% increase.

“We understand the state’s interest in being fiscally conservative in light of what is happening at the federal level with funding and program cuts but believe this is still a fairly conservative settlement that would help unit members with increased costs of living, including health insurance,” the face finding panel wrote. 

Dozens of state workers gathered in the State House Hall of Flags to call on the Mills administration — specifically the Department of Administrative and Financial Services — to accept the wage increase proposal.

In a statement, the Mills administration said four other state employee unions have already agreed to a 2% increase in January of this year, followed by another 2% raise next month.

They say the union has yet to let workers vote on the proposal and is instead relying on a small group of negotiators.

Over the last seven years, state employee wages have “increased a minimum of 29%,” which the Mills administration describes as “a greater total salary increase than during the previous 16 years combined.” 

“Whenever the MSEA wishes to act in good faith and negotiate, the Administration is ready to deliver raises to its members on par with those other state union members are currently receiving,” the statement says.

From the union’s perspective, it’s been a long and difficult negotiation, said Mark Brunton, union president.

“We’ve extended olive branch after olive branch to move this process forward and we’ve been met with stonewalling,” he said.

Brunton said the state declared that negotiations were at an impasse in September, prompting the union to challenge that with the Maine Labor Relations Board. 

Then in January, the two sides entered mediation but still couldn’t agree on wages.

According to the union, the state’s best wage offer was a 2% increase each year of the two-year contract and a $1,250 lump sum.

The union wanted 5% each year, plus increases in longevity pay, a winter allowance for some transportation workers and overtime for supervisory workers at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Ultimately on Monday, the union said it’s ready to accept the compromise proposal so they can get a contract in place. 

State worker Kelly Smith said it’s been a long fight for a contract.

“We are not deciding whether we can afford a vacation or a night out,” she said. “We are deciding which necessities have to wait. We’re choosing between groceries and prescriptions, putting off vehicle repairs, delaying home maintenance and hoping the next unexpected bill doesn’t come before the next paycheck.”