Statement by MCCS President regarding vaccine protocol for Maine’s public sector employees

September 17, 2021

AUGUSTA, ME — Maine Community College System (MCCS) President David Daigler issued the following statement today regarding the Maine Department of Labor’s announcement that public sector employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face regular testing.

“Today’s announcement from the Department of Labor confirms the need for requiring clear vaccine protocols such as the one already in place at Maine’s community colleges. The MCCS protocol is a critical part of a broader effort to keep our community as safe as possible. It is, simply put, the right thing to do,” MCCS President David Daigler said Friday.

“I am very grateful to the unions and the employees they represent for working with us quickly and very cooperatively to put this important safety measure in place. It sends a powerful message to our students and our community that we are all committed to each other’s health and well-being.”

Under the MCCS employee vaccine protocol, all employees must show proof of vaccination or undergo twice-weekly COVID-19 testing, in addition to meeting masking and distancing requirements.

MCCS has been working with the six unions that represent MCCS employees at the colleges and the system office for several weeks on the protocol. As of today, there are signed agreements with five of the six bargaining units, covering more than 98 percent of all employees. A tentative agreement has been reached with the sixth union, which represents 25 employees, and is expected to be signed on Monday.

MCCS has 830 full-time employees and approximately 630 adjunct faculty who work part-time.

MCCS also has a student COVID-19 vaccine protocol: Students who do not have proof of vaccination cannot take part in on-campus activities, and must attend classes and access student services remotely.