Work force in transition

Many look forward to Labor Day as a last chance for a late summer getaway, or an opportunity to connect with family and friends for a barbecue, but it’s important to remember the roots of this important holiday and the reason we celebrate it today. Labor Day’s origins can be traced to a demonstration and picnic organized by the Central Labor Union in 1882.

The concept of a “workingmen’s holiday” quickly took hold and spread to other communities. By 1894 a number of states had formalized the holiday and Congress took action to recognize Labor Day as a national holiday. Since then, the first Monday of September has become a time to highlight and celebrate the contributions that working women and men make to the economy.

This year, Maine workers have much to be proud of and to celebrate. As a direct result of the high quality of their work, major job losses at two military facilities were averted during the Base Realignment and Closure process.

Anthony Principi, chairman of the BRAC Commission, stated clearly that the work done by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was the “gold standard” by which other yards are judged and that the Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) center was the “highest quality center in the system.” The direction to the BRAC commission was to find significant cost savings by closing military facilities. It was the bottom line benefit provided by Maine’s quality work force that swayed the BRAC commission to keep the facilities open.

Our work force has become an increasingly influential factor in the health of our economy. A century ago, as construction began on the Great Northern Paper mill, it was natural resources that drew the company to a site in northern Penobscot County. A local work force was nearly nonexistent before the factory was built; however, investors knew that the abundance of timber and hydropower would ultimately give the mill a competitive edge in the paper industry.

That is no longer the case. Technology and globalization have dramatically changed the mix of jobs in our economy as well as how work is done. Our economy has shifted over time from labor-intensive, goods-producing jobs, to knowledge-based, service-sector and technical positions. The natural resource in greatest demand today – is the work force itself. A company’s most valuable commodity is the knowledge and skills that workers bring to the job each day. Highly skilled workers are required to allow companies to innovate and innovation is the competitive edge that helps businesses thrive.

However, sometimes a quality work force alone is not enough to keep a business or a base open. In spite of a talented pool of workers, the BRAC commission voted to close the Brunswick Naval Air Station. Since Gov. Baldacci firmly believes that Maine people are our strongest asset, it is no surprise that our first “redevelopment” activity was to meet with the BNAS workers to discuss their needs. As we begin to work with the impacted communities to craft a redevelopment strategy that attracts high-skill, high-wage jobs, we want to make sure that the dislocated workers have the training they need to fill new jobs.

More than 650 civilians are employed at the facility, either as federal employees or as private contractors. To date, the Maine Department of Labor has applied for and received a $1 million planning grant from the federal government. Those funds are being used to begin skill and training assessment of the workers and to provide employment services to assist the civilian work force in transitioning into new careers.

The U.S. Department of Labor has recently loosened its requirements and worker training can now begin up to two years in advance of a layoff. Therefore, there will be ample opportunity for workers to participate in training before they lose their current jobs.

In the months and years leading up to the eventual closure of the Brunswick Naval Air Station, a state and local work force, economic development and education efforts will be coordinated to ensure a successful transition for the affected work force and the base facilities.

By working together, workers and the state will be ideally positioned to promote Maine’s most valued natural resource – our workers – as we attract and grow businesses at the base facilities and throughout the state.

Laura A. Fortman is commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor.