Teacher union is sued
Advocate alleges sex bias, hostile workplace at MEA
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Later, Morin's lawsuit says, that discipline was rescinded.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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1-10 of 10 comments:

Lawyer10121 of Portland, ME
Nov 15, 2007 3:48 PM
Ohh Please! History shows that this is not Ms. Morins' first lawsuit under these pretenses and she has in the past made irrational claims when ever she does not get her way. Now she has employed an ambulance chasing attorney to try and win some lofty damages I am sure. I personally hope the MEA stands behind Harvie and the documents of the previous investigations that showed him with out fault and leave her hanging out to dry and then fire her for being a useless individual with an axe to grind and a need to retire early. And as far as Harvey not responding, I am sure counsel has told him not to talk to anyone and I hope he looks at a slander suit once this is dealt with.report abuse
SJane of Windsor, ME
Nov 15, 2007 3:19 PM
It's funny how all of you sit here and judge a person you dont know personally, but just what you read in the newspaper.

I too, know both parties. Joan Morin is a very strong woman and like it said in the article, (which of course doesn't portray everything she has endured) she has undergone this termoil for many years and kept her mouth shut, and finally decided enough was enough and something had to be done about it. She filed a formal complaint within the company and nothing was done, so she went futher and we'll see what the end result is.

Put yourself in her shoes...report abuse
Solid of Winthrop, ME
Nov 15, 2007 3:05 PM
One would think that the MEA would be filled with political correctness, but it appears they still have one person who has not been de-balled. I hope Harvie wins for making a stand on who runs the show, even if he may have chosen the wrong words, it was a clear message.

report abuse
lucymay of augusta, ME
Nov 15, 2007 12:50 PM
hahaha TBrady, that's a riot!report abuse
BrettM of Augusta, ME
Nov 15, 2007 11:27 AM
According to the article, Harvie didn't respond to calls made to him - seeing the comments, it's clear he did respond.

Where's there's smoke, there's FIRE and in this case it seems there is fuel too.report abuse
Steve Jakes of Belgrade, ME
Nov 15, 2007 9:03 AM
I hope this is not another BS case of a women documenting anything said good or bad to bend it towards a monetary gain. We have all seen it. There are people that are out of line and there are others who abuse the sytem to get money for not working. I am not saying she did this or thats her intention I dont know either person. I know when I started for the state I went to the 2 day orientation calss and when I left I was afraid to even talk to anyone female that anything I could say besides hello could be fodder for something. They even tell you if someone you dislike says hello you have to say hello back or it can be considered harrasing. report abuse
TBrady of Gillette Stadium, ME
Nov 15, 2007 8:59 AM
The article forgot to add that Harvie, after the first suspension, moved to Gainesville, FL and now is a full-time blogger/ newspaper commenter using the name Nonny...report abuse
Brian of West Gardiner, ME
Nov 15, 2007 8:40 AM
Its no wonder...the MEA is full of democrats, what do you expect?report abuse
Betty Kinney of York, ME
Nov 15, 2007 7:41 AM
I know both parties.

It is a sad day for the MEA. Joan Morin is a very strong woman and her skills are best suited for employment by the MEA only- she cannot practice her trade at any other organization. She was specifically trained for the job she does.

Mr Harvie is very good at what he does as well. While they work for the same organization, they don't work in the same department (as far as I know- it may have changed) His comment was taken out of context, but as it reads, it is out of line. An apology would have taken care of one comment, but discrimination cases are not usually filed because of one comment made in the heat of an argument.

It's no longer the 80's, Nonny. No one gets slapped on the butt anymore anywhere- not even once. It's disrespectful and most people understand that. Read the article again- this alleged behavior has gone on for many years. The first complaint was in 2006. The quote was one example of what was said. As part of her job, Joan Morin was trained to document details- keep a paper trail, a journal, whatever it takes to prove the case. I assume more will come out in court.

It is a very sad day for the MEA.report abuse
Nonny of Gainesville, FL
Nov 15, 2007 6:46 AM
"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."...this used to be a compliment to independent women! I guess the days of feminism are over. Sounds like someone was competing and didn't like losing. IF there were indeed problems, why would someone apparently so "strong" and "bright" put up with crap for so long? My employer slapped my butt twice in the 80's and it stopped after that second slap. And I turned the other "cheek;" I didn't sue. Anyway, HOPEFULLY THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT, but I truly am sick of sexual harrassment being defined as the first time someone is asked out or if anyone is offended by a first-time joke. We went overboard with the legislation and forgot the meaning of the word "harrassment" (it takes more than once to harrass). Morin is either a victim or she's a wuss. report abuse

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