Scontras Center

08/24/2026

What’s the Scontras Center been up to this summer? 🤔

1-2: In July, we hosted a lunch and labor history event to tour the Maine Historical Society’s great exhibit of the Granite Cutters Union in Hallowell of the 1800s.
3-4: We hosted a labor movement day at the Sea Dogs along with MSEA-1989 and NALC Branch 92!
5-6: Along with the Maine AFL-CIO’s Labor Reading Group, we hosted author Joan Williams to discuss her book Out-Classed.

08/11/2026

A union is only as strong as its active membership, but it often feels like “no one wants to do anything.” When engagement stalls, organizational strength disappears. This 6-week course is designed for stewards, activists, and union leaders who seek to increase members’ participation.

For more info and to register: https://www.campusce.net/southernmainepdp/Course/Course.aspx?c=90

08/07/2026

This was the Scontras Center’s third year co-sponsoring the Maine AFL-CIO’s Summer Institute, along with the Bureau of Labor Education, University of Maine! We had a great time being apart of the planning and facilitating workshops. Always so exciting to connect with union members from across the state and feel the energy!

07/22/2026

Last chance to register for Join us for this hybrid Maine AFL-CIO Labor Reading Group Discussion!

When: Thursday, July 23rd, 6:00pm
Where: McGoldrick Center, 2nd Floor Salons• 35 Bedford St, Portland, ME 04101 and over Zoom
Register here:https://bit.ly/OutClassed2026

Co-sponsored by A. Philip Randolph Institute - Maine Chapter

Description:
Earlier this year, the ME AFL-CIO Labor Reading Group read Williams's book, Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back. Now, we're excited to welcome her for an engaging discussion on class culture, the changing nature of the American working class, and what these shifts mean for anyone interested in building a stronger labor movement.

What does it mean to be "working class" today? Is class primarily about economic position, education, culture, or identity? Or some combination of all of these? Williams will explore how class shapes our workplaces, politics, and everyday interactions.

Joan C. Williams is an internationally recognized scholar of social inequality, a distinguished professor of law, and the author of numerous books on class, gender, and work. Her research has influenced conversations on labor, economic inequality, and political polarization across the United States.

Join the Scontras Center for Labor and Community Education and the Maine AFL-CIO Labor Reading Group for a special evening with bestselling author Joan C. Williams. Earlier this year, the ME AFL-CIO Labor Reading Group read Williams's book, Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to....

07/18/2026

REGISTER: Free One-Day "Teaching Maine Labor History Workshop for Educators: Paper Mills, Unions, Solidarity, and the Jay Strike (1987-1988)"

Wednesday, July 29th, from 9am-4pm at the Local 14 Solidarity Center in Jay, Maine

More info: https://bit.ly/4bOe36q

07/09/2026

Join us for this hybrid Maine AFL-CIO Labor Reading Group Discussion!

When: Thursday, July 23rd, 6:00pm
Where: McGoldrick Center, 2nd Floor Salons• 35 Bedford St, Portland, ME 04101 and over Zoom
Register here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/labor-reading-group-discussion-with-joan-c-williams?clear_id=true

Co-sponsored by A. Philip Randolph Institute - Maine Chapter!

Join the Scontras Center and the Maine AFL-CIO Labor Reading Group for a special evening with bestselling author Joan C. Williams.

Earlier this year, the ME AFL-CIO Labor Reading Group read Williams's book, Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back. Now, we're excited to welcome her for an engaging discussion on class culture, the changing nature of the American working class, and what these shifts mean for anyone interested in building a stronger labor movement.

What does it mean to be "working class" today? Is class primarily about economic position, education, culture, or identity? Or some combination of all of these? Williams will explore how class shapes our workplaces, politics, and everyday interactions.

Joan C. Williams is an internationally recognized scholar of social inequality, a distinguished professor of law, and the author of numerous books on class, gender, and work. Her research has influenced conversations on labor, economic inequality, and political polarization across the United States.

When: Thursday, July 23rd, 6:00pm
Where: McGoldrick Center, 2nd Floor Salons• 35 Bedford St, Portland, ME 04101 and over Zoom
Register here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/labor-reading-group-discussion-with-joan-c-williams?clear_id=true

06/30/2026

Join the Scontras Center and the Maine AFL-CIO Labor Reading Group for a special evening with bestselling author Joan C. Williams.

Earlier this year, the ME AFL-CIO Labor Reading Group read Williams's book, Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back. Now, we're excited to welcome her for an engaging discussion on class culture, the changing nature of the American working class, and what these shifts mean for anyone interested in building a stronger labor movement.

What does it mean to be "working class" today? Is class primarily about economic position, education, culture, or identity? Or some combination of all of these? Williams will explore how class shapes our workplaces, politics, and everyday interactions.

Joan C. Williams is an internationally recognized scholar of social inequality, a distinguished professor of law, and the author of numerous books on class, gender, and work. Her research has influenced conversations on labor, economic inequality, and political polarization across the United States.

When: Thursday, July 23rd, 6:00pm
Where: McGoldrick Center, 2nd Floor Salons• 35 Bedford St, Portland, ME 04101 and over Zoom
Register here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/labor-reading-group-discussion-with-joan-c-williams?clear_id=true

06/26/2026

Director Matt Emmick speaking at the Maine AFL-CIO’s COPE Convention about the power of art in the labor movement!

Bonus points is you know the logo on the right 🤔

06/26/2026

Last day to register!!

Join the Scontras Center on Saturday, July 11, for an afternoon of labor history and community as we visit the Maine Historical Society’s exhibit Working Granite: Italian Stone Cutters and Their Union!

We’ll meet in front of the Maine Historical Society at 11:00 a.m. to tour this fascinating exhibit, which explores the history of Maine’s granite industry and the stone cutters who organized one of the state’s earliest unions in Hallowell in 1877. Your admission also includes access to the Society’s other exhibits.

After exploring the exhibit, we’ll head to Batson River Brewing for lunch! The Scontras Center will cover the cost of exhibit admission and lunch. Space is limited, so please register by June 26th!

Come learn about Maine’s labor history, connect with fellow workers and union activists, and enjoy a summer afternoon in Portland!

When: Saturday, July 11th at 11am.

Where: Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101.

Register here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/lunch-and-labor-history?clear_id=true&link_id=5&can_id=d7de9d8558f4cd7ae7dcc6a8fbfc41cd&

06/22/2026

Join the Scontras Center on Saturday, July 11, for an afternoon of labor history and community as we visit the Maine Historical Society’s exhibit Working Granite: Italian Stone Cutters and Their Union!

We’ll meet in front of the Maine Historical Society at 11:00 a.m. to tour this fascinating exhibit, which explores the history of Maine’s granite industry and the stone cutters who organized one of the state’s earliest unions in Hallowell in 1877. Your admission also includes access to the Society’s other exhibits.

After exploring the exhibit, we’ll head to Batson River Brewing for lunch! The Scontras Center will cover the cost of exhibit admission and lunch. Space is limited, so please register by June 26th!

Come learn about Maine’s labor history, connect with fellow workers and union activists, and enjoy a summer afternoon in Portland!

When: Saturday, July 11th at 11am.

Where: Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101.

Register here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/lunch-and-labor-history?clear_id=true&link_id=5&can_id=d7de9d8558f4cd7ae7dcc6a8fbfc41cd&