Welcome to the Bureau of Labor Education
The University of Maine’s Bureau of Labor Education provides workers and their organizations with knowledge and resources for understanding and dealing with work-related challenges and opportunities.
The Bureau conducts programs, presentations, research, and online Labor Studies credit courses for workers, union leaders and staff, students, and educators.
Employment Opportunity: Student Special Project Assistant – Oral History Project
Job Code: 95133 | Step: 4 | 20 hours/week at $15.15/hour.
“UMaine Bureau of Labor Education hosts ongoing Labor Spotlight Series, tariffs impact on workers explained“
Recent & Upcoming Programs:
- Workers, Tariffs & the Global Economy
- 400 Years of Maine Labor History with Andy O’Brien
- Dealing with Immigration Authorities at Worksites
- Public Sector Union Steward Training & collective bargaining
- History of U.S. Immigration
- Oral History Workshop
Contact us for more information.
BLE Opportunities:
2025 Maine National History Day Labor History Prize Winners
- Sr. Division 1st Place Winner: Walker Vivian from Massabesic High School for the paper “The Imbalance of Rights and Responsibilities Between the Working Class and Business Owners During the First Industrial Revolution.”
- Jr. Division 1st Place Winner: Rhyder Staples from Oak Hill Middle School for an exhibit about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire.
- Jr. Division 2d Place Winner: Madison Moon and Madelyn Pass of Durham Community School for a group exhibit titled “Child Labor in Maine.”
- Bangor Regional Winner: Olivia Galeano from Reeds Brook Middle School, for “The Beets of Betrayal: Mexican Repatriation and Exploitation of Betabeleros in the 1930s.“
Bureau of Labor Education, a Part of UMaine’s Division of Lifelong Learning, stands against racism:
The Division of Lifelong Learning stands against systemic racism, violence, and injustice and is committed to the University of Maine’s core values of inclusion, diversity, and anti-racism. In our mission to expand access to UMaine’s educational offerings and resources, we serve the needs of diverse learners and support a safe and welcoming community. Therefore, we continue to examine our organization, our actions, and our role in rebuilding systems that are fair and equitable for all people, regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, disability, or nationality.
— Hannah Carter, Ph.D., Associate Provost for Online and Continuing Education and Dean of UMaine Cooperative Extension
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).