ORONO, Maine (WABI) - On Wednesday roughly 150 people rallied behind the University of Maine’s graduate workers in Orono as they continue their fight for what they’re calling a fair contract.

The University of Maine Graduate Workers’ Union has been negotiating with the University of Maine System since November of 2023.

They say they’re fighting for better benefits and higher pay, as the base salary for a grad worker is currently $17,000.

Workers voiced their frustration as the negotiations have been ongoing for over 630 days.

“We feel disrespected. You know, it’s been 638 days without a contract, far longer than the usual time to a first union contract and we’re lagging behind all our peer institutions in terms of pay, in terms of healthcare coverage, in terms of just basic rights and

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