The workers at Through These Doors in southern Maine have won a union election.
That makes Through These Doors the first domestic violence resource center in Maine to be successfully unionized, according to the Maine AFL-CIO.
“We are so proud to be the first DV Resource Center in Maine to unionize. Our co-workers at Through These Doors are united in our commitment to shape our workplace to center resiliency and better serve our communities,” said Johna Cook, a rapid rehousing advocate.
The advocates, educators and shelter staff began organizing for a union about nine months ago. After failing to gain voluntary recognition, the decision to form a union was put to a vote on Sept. 28, when a supermajority backed unionization, the Maine AFL-CIO said Wednesday.
The election was overseen by the National Labor Relations Board.
Through These Doors’ advocates, educators and shelter staff have unionized with the Maine Service Employees Association, MSEA-SEIU Local 1989.
The supporters said that forming a union would help improve services for victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence and stalking in Cumberland County.
“Our organizing efforts are grounded in the passion and care we have for the valuable work we do in our community for survivors. It is crucial that work in the DV movement be sustainable for advocates and educators who carry out direct service. Increased sustainability means better quality services for survivors and our communities,” said Aurelia Blackstock, CPS systems advocate. “To me, sustainability in the DV movement means that we exhibit the core values that we center in our work with survivors of self-determination, empathy, compassion and shared power in our workplace as well.”
The workers at Through These Doors are the latest social services workers to form a union under the MSEA, including Preble Street, Planned Parenthood, Sexual Assault Services of Midcoast Maine, Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine, Speak About It and the ACLU of Maine, according to the Maine AFL-CIO.
“I work at our shelter, and every day we are able to support and help empower survivors of domestic violence to reclaim autonomy over their lives. I am so grateful to stand alongside my coworkers to continue this work within our own organization, empowering each employee to have a voice over our own hours, wages, and working conditions,” Cook said.
Through These Doors offers a shelter, systems navigation advocacy, certified domestic violence intervention programming and school- and community-based education.
