Matt Bean
For Senate District 19
Running to Represent parts of Oxford and Franklin County
About Matt
A fearless leader for Maine
Born and raised in Rumford Maine, Matt has resided in Andover for the past 39 years. Matt worked in the Rumford paper mill for 34 years and is retired. He became interested in the union and ran for leadership during his time at the mill and moved from trustee to vice president for 9 years and president for 3 years. He helped run several safety programs and he was also the director of the Pulp and Paperwork’s Resource Council.
After seeing the conditions and workplace hazards of the mill, he wanted to help his fellow workers fight for safer working conditions and better benefits. Even though he no longer works at the mill, he knows that the fight for workers rights is not over.
“I believe the blue collar man should be able to stand up and fight for their rights. The men and women actually out their putting in the work need to be taken care of”
He was vice president of the Ellis River Riders Inc. in Andover and was the Chairman of their ethics committee. The club offers a great place for children to learn horsemanship and sportsmanship and creates a wonderful opportunity to bring communities together in western Maine’s beautiful outdoors.
On the Issues
Workers Rights
Matt has spent his entire life fighting for better compensation and conditions for blue collar workers. However, there is still a lot to be done. One of Matt’s main concerns is improving Maines Workmens Comp laws to insure that workers are truly protected from workplace hazards.
Healthcare
As a three time cancer survivor, Matt knows the hardships that Mainers face everyday with getting cost effective and quality healthcare. Protecting and revitalizing our rural hospitals and creating more local access to health services are some of Matt’s top priorities.
Environment
During Matt’s time at the mill, he saw how protecting Maine’s paper industry often comes into conflict with conservation. He remembers a time when the snow plows in Rumford would be plowing black snow from the soot and pollution from the Mill. Matt like many Mainers, are looking for common sense solutions to walking this fine line between protecting our forest industries and Maines natural beauty.
Why I’m running.
“I served in the Local 900 of the Rumford Paper Mill for 9 years as Vice President and for 3 years as President. While at the mill I fought to implement safety programs that worked to better improve the lives of my fellow workers. Now that I’m retired, I have more time to continue that great work we did in the Union, and make sure that everyone in Augusta hears our voice as well.”
“The reason we have holidays, weekends or anything else is because of the amazing work of the Unions, but just like up at the statehouse there is always more work to be done”.
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