PORTLAND, Maine — Through These Doors has become the first domestic violence resource center to successfully unionize in Maine, according to the Maine AFL-CIO.
“I think it’s just a new way to approach all of these truths that we held evident about nonprofit work, like, you’re going to get burnt out or you’re not going to get paid anything,” said Housing and Resource Advocate Johna Cook.
Seventy-five percent of workers at Through These Doors voted to form the union with the Maine Service Employees Organization, despite pushback from their employer.
“Organizing was a really difficult part of this process," CPS Systems Advocate Aurelia Blackstock told NEWS CENTER Maine.
Blackstock said a reason they unionized was to better serve those experiencing domestic violence.
"Our core values at Through these Doors as a domestic violence resource center really is about shared power, autonomy for everyone, and empowering people," Blackstock said. "So, I really believe in practicing what we're doing out in the community in our workplace and giving folks the opportunity to have a say over their hours, wages, and conditions."
In a statement to NEWS CENTER Maine, the organization's Co-Executive Director Rebecca Hobbs said, "... Through These Doors respects the voices and votes of our employees. We are looking forward to continuing to work together to support survivors of domestic abuse in Cumberland County."
Contract negotiations between workers and Through These Doors are expected to start in the coming days.