Maine’s largest labor union representing state employees filed a complaint Monday with the Maine Labor Relations Board accusing the Mills administration of bad-faith bargaining.

The Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union alleged the administration committed multiple violations of state law relating to executive branch contract negotiations for two-year contracts that expired June 30 — allegations that Gov. Janet Mills’ administration disagrees with and plans to dispute.

The union represents about 10,000 workers in administrative services, maintenance and support services, professional-technical services and supervisory services.

“For years, workers have pleaded with the administration to deal with the widespread recruitment and retention problems in Maine state government created by wage structures that are simply not competitive,” said Mark Brunton, union president, in a written statement.

“We have offered various solutions to lower turnover rates and attract qualified applicants to join state service. We know what is needed to stabilize the services state workers provide and that the people of Maine deserve.”

Brunton said the administration chose last month to declare a premature impasse without discussion of several of the contract proposals the union had put forward. The complaint also accuses the administration of regressive bargaining, canceling bargaining sessions following the premature declaration of impasse, and engaging in other behavior designed to frustrate the collective bargaining process.

It asks the board, which administers and enforces state laws governing collective bargaining for public sector employees, to order management to withdraw its declaration of impasse and to “cease and desist” from bad faith bargaining.

Sharon Huntley, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, said the administration had been notified of the complaint and disputes the allegations.

“The state has not engaged in regressive bargaining and has been clear on its priorities throughout negotiations and made adjustments… as part of good-faith movements to reach an agreement,” she said in an email.

Huntley said Gov. Mills values the work of state employees and has dedicated more than $1.15 billion in salary increases to state workers through the collective bargaining process over the course of her administration — a total that is equal to about a 24% average wage increase across state government.

“The governor has supported these increases, and other significant benefit improvements, because they’re good for state workers, and by extension, good for the people of Maine,” she said. “The administration will continue to negotiate with MSEA and defend itself against these unfortunate claims before the labor relations board.”