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Maine’s highest court ruled Tuesday that Portland’s voter-approved hazard wage mandate is constitutional, but the provision that boosts pay during emergencies such as the pandemic does not take effect until next year.
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s ruling upholds a lower court decision, which was appealed by the Portland Community Regional Chamber of Commerce and several local businesses.
It could have an immediate impact on the wages of workers who have been receiving hazard pay since the ordinance was adopted by voters last year in the midst of the pandemic. The provision applies to workers who report to a Portland workplace during an emergency declared by the state, county or municipality.