PETITION CLOSED

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Tell Maine Governor Paul LePage to stop plans to remove state labor department historic mural
  1. Signatures
    1,447 out of 1,500
    Petitioning
    1. The Governor of ME (+ 1 other)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The Governor of ME
      • Gov. Paul LePage (ME)
  2. Created By
    Stephanie Beal
    Saco, ME
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

Maine's Governor LePage has ordered state workers to remove a 35-foot, 11-panel mural from Maine's state Department of Labor that depicts the state's labor history. This mural features prominent figures and events, such as Frances Perkins, first women cabinet member in American history, Rosie the Riveter, child laborers, the Lewiston shoe-factory strike of 1937 and the International Paper Mill strike in Jay in 1987-88, among many other things. The mural, paid for by private donations and hung in 2008, is a representation of the state's historical facts.

Due to the complaints of several unidentified people, LePage has decided the Department of Labor is an inappropriate setting for the mural as those who have complained see it as taking the union's side over management's. A spokesperson for the Governor says they must remove the mural to prevent imbalance within the labor department. But removing the mural won't change history.

In addition to the removal of the mural, LePage wants to rename the eight conference rooms in the Department of Labor that have been named for historical figures and activists relevant to the state's labor movement, such as Cesar Chavez and Frances Perkins. The mural and these figures are not in alignment with the governor's pro-business agenda.

The New York Times indicated today the Governor's office is looking into having this mural placed in the Maine State Museum; however, this does not prevent the department's conference rooms from being renamed and it is another slight to Maine's workers. It is potentially a sign of things to come and certainly an indication of the governor's sentiments toward the state's work-force and unions, and we must put a stop to it.

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Stop plans to remove the state Department of Labor mural and rename the DOL conference rooms.

Greetings Governor LePage,

We, the undersigned, urge you to discontinue plans to remove the mural from the Maine state Department of Labor (DOL) and to rename the DOL's conference rooms.

This mural illustrates a richness in Maine's history, a story that will not be erased from memory. Part of that story, too, are the figures for whom the DOL's conference rooms are named, figures who improved working conditions in the state, for both workers and management at all levels. The men and women honored by the DOL mural and conference rooms represent the working people in the state of Maine -- those who keep businesses and the economy running on a daily basis.

We believe that neither the mural nor the conference room names represent any bias on the part of the Department of Labor, but rather demonstrate a respect for the history of Maine and its workers, the majority of its citizens. We therefore ask you to help preserve this history and honor those who have made it possible — please do not remove the DOL's mural or rename the conference rooms.

[Your name]

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