Maine Gov. LePage Takes Aim At Labor Mural

Maine Department Of Labor Mural
(The Labor Mural at the Maine Department Of Labor is broken into 11 sections. Click an image to view a section and its description.)

Across the country, the relationship between organized labor and state government has been a hot-button issue in recent weeks. Here in New England, another controversy over labor is brewing — this one over a piece of art.

In a radio interview Wednesday, Maine Gov. Paul LePage said that a 36-foot mural hanging in the Department of Labor needs to go:

I'm trying to send a message to everyone in the state that the state of Maine looks at employees and employers equally, neutrally and on balance. And the mural sends a message that we're one sided, and I don't want to send that message.

The 11-panel mural depicts scenes from Maine's labor history, including Rosie the Riveter, child laborers and two labor strikes.

Radio Boston's Anthony Brooks speaks to Susan Sharon, deputy news director and reporter at the Maine Public Broadcasting Network, to find out what's going on in Augusta.

Guest: