Morning Sentinel
Teachers' advocate sues MEA
Hostile workplace, gender bias alleged
By BETTY ADAMS
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 11/15/2007

AUGUSTA -- The woman who has long represented Augusta-area teachers at the bargaining table is suing her employer, the Maine Education Association, saying it permits a workplace rife with sexual harassment and discrimination.

Joan Morin, of Whitefield, who was hired by Maine Education Association in 1996 as a labor advocate, claims a co-worker made demeaning comments about her gender "for many years" and the organization's executive director failed to stop it.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Kennebec County Superior Court by Morin's attorney, Walter McKee.

"Primarily, this discriminatory conduct has been perpetuated by MEA employee Keith Harvie," the lawsuit says.

Morin's lawsuit says Harvie "continuously undermined (Morin's) work product" and "cast derogatory statements as to her work and her gender."

It quotes statements allegedly made by Harvie: "I am an alpha male and you're an alpha female; we can't have both. I am top dog, not you. You're the only woman I know with balls."

Harvie did not respond to a message left on his office phone Wednesday afternoon.

W. Gary Kohlman of the Washington, D.C., law firm Bredhoff & Kaiser is representing the education association and denied the claims.

"On behalf of MEA, the allegations in the complaint have been thoroughly investigated and found to be without merit," Kohlman said Wednesday.

The complaint alleges Morin filed an internal complaint about Harvie in June 2006, which was investigated by a different lawyer with Bredhoff & Kaiser.

As a result of that investigation, Harvie was suspended for five days without pay.

Later, Morin's lawsuit says, that discipline was rescinded.

Morin claims gender discrimination, imposition of a hostile work environment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent supervision. She seeks punitive damages from the association.

She also says she suffered retaliation -- a result of filing a complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission in July 2006.

The complaint was not resolved there, and the commission issued a right-to-sue letter. The commission made no ruling on the matter, however.

"Joan Morin is a top-notch employee of MEA and is universally respected around the state for her incredible work on behalf of teachers and other school employees," McKee said in a press release.

"For her to have to endure this kind of treatment is unthinkable."

Morin has represented the Augusta teachers' union in grievances, contract negotiations, as well as teachers in School Administrative District 11, which educates students from Gardiner, Randolph, West Gardiner and Pittston.

Betty Adams -- 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

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WellsIte of Wells, ME
Dec 2, 2007 11:21 AM
I'm ashamed my MEA dues are going to junk like this. It certainly makes you rethink the worth of a labor union. Pay hasn't increased with cost of living, the MEA is spending our money on issues like this, and in the few times I've needed representation they failed.

Sounds like the time is ripe for a newer, more capable, and more politically nuetral organization to emerge. report abuse
Michael Denis of Parksville, KY
Nov 15, 2007 6:10 PM
Oh, come on people. As a long-time member of the MEA, and as a current MEA-Retired member, I can't resist...

Tim, even liberals and socially enlightened people can have harassment problems. It's just that we actually CARE about harassment issues unlike many conservatives who would deny that any harassment exists (except for those evil liberals taking the "Christ" out of Christmas)!

Brian, don't Republicans ever have similar problems? Let the political party without sin cast the first stone. I'm not condoning such alleged behavior by Keith Harvie, whom I know, but to say that it's because MEA is full of Democrats is like saying that all Republicans molest teenage pages in Congress.

Jesscia porridge -- it's NOT slander, and you need to have someone check your posts -- this is the most illiterate comment I've ever read on the Sentinel. I'm surprised that you can even READ the article.report abuse
Tim of Weld, ME
Nov 15, 2007 11:33 AM
Treatment like this in such a wonderfully liberal and socially enlightened organization? Who'd have thought?report abuse
Brian of West Gardiner, ME
Nov 15, 2007 11:26 AM
Its no wonder...the MEA is full of democrats, what do you expect?report abuse

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