Maine § 873. - Recruitment of qualified workers for logging occupations

§ 873.. Recruitment of qualified workers for logging occupations

1.  Definitions. 

2.  Employer requirements; clearinghouse and reporting. 

3.  Clearinghouse requirements. 

4.  Department role. 

4-A.  Department role.  The Maine Department of Labor shall:

A. In addition to enforcing federal requirements imposed by 20 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 655, Subpart B, through the Bureau of Employment Services assist members of the forest products industry to ensure logging employment opportunities for Maine workers, match qualified applicants with logging employers and provide such other assistance to logging employers as may be appropriate;   [PL 2011, c. 620, §2 (NEW).]

B. With input from representatives of the forest industry, provide educational and training opportunities in order for workers who express an interest in the logging industry to obtain necessary skills; and   [PL 2011, c. 620, §2 (NEW).]

C. In conjunction with the Department of Education and representatives of the forest and logging industries, develop an entry-level logger training program with the goal of providing new qualified workers to the logging industry. The training program must include classroom and on-the-job training and must be provided through existing community colleges, technical schools or the University of Maine System whenever practicable.   [PL 2011, c. 620, §2 (NEW).]

5.  Job offer; skills test.  Upon referral of an applicant by the Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment Services, a logging employer may offer employment to that applicant based on the following factors.

A. An employment offer may be conditioned on a skills test, but only if the employer requires the skills test of all new applicants in that job classification.   [PL 2009, c. 637, §10 (NEW).]

B. If a skills test under paragraph A is required, it must be conducted at the area of intended employment, a central location designated by the logging employer, the employer's place of employment or another location within reasonable distance from the applicant's residence.   [PL 2011, c. 620, §2 (AMD).]

C. [PL 2011, c. 620, §2 (RP).]

D. An applicant who is rejected from employment due to failing a skills test under paragraph A must be given a written statement of the reason for failure of the skills test. The employer shall provide a copy of the written statement to the Maine Department of Labor.   [PL 2011, c. 620, §2 (AMD).]

6.  Contracts with landowners.  A contract for harvesting wood between a logging employer and a landowner must contain a provision that allows the landowner to terminate the contract if the logging employer violates this section or the applicable federal regulations regarding employment of bond workers.

7.  Penalties. 

8.  Landowner contracts with employers.