Labor & Employment (Collective Bargaining) in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4047: An Act relative to the protection of small businesses and workers

HD 4047, titled "An Act relative to the protection of small businesses and workers," establishes new antitrust rules targeting monopolies and monopsonies in Massachusetts. It defines "monopoly power" (controlling prices or excluding competition) and "monopsony" (a single buyer dominating a market), making contracts that create or maintain such power unlawful. The bill presumes dominance if a business holds 40%+ of a product market or 30%+ of a labor market, and prohibits abuses like wage suppression, anti-union restraints, or forcing exclusive deals. It directly affects large businesses or employers with dominant market positions, aiming to protect small competitors and workers' bargaining power.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1065: An Act relative to collective bargaining rights of Massachusetts employees

This bill amends Massachusetts law to ensure that if a governmental agency determines public employees are no longer covered under applicable law (e.g., due to reclassification) or declines jurisdiction over their bargaining unit, the Department of Labor Relations must certify the union that was previously recognized as the exclusive bargaining representative. It directly affects Massachusetts state and local government employees whose employment status changes and their current union representatives. The key provision requires the Department of Labor Relations to maintain existing union certification in these specific circumstances, preventing loss of bargaining rights due to agency decisions about employee classification. The change applies only to bargaining units previously certified based on majority representation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Professional Licensing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1827: An Act promoting an adjunct bill of rights

This bill establishes the Faculty Restoration and Equity Fund to require public colleges in the state to: (1) ensure at least 75% of undergraduate courses are taught by full-time faculty, (2) maintain at least 75% full-time support staff in departments, and (3) provide part-time and non-tenure track faculty with pay and benefits equal to full-time faculty. It also amends retirement laws to grant part-time faculty teaching four or more courses yearly full retirement credit, equal pay on a pro-rata basis, and formal processes for assignment priority and tenure-track consideration. The fund prioritizes institutions with high reliance on part-time faculty, and all provisions are subject to collective bargaining. The bill directly affects public higher education institutions and their part-time/non-tenure track faculty.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Employment Discrimination

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1487: An Act streamlining state employee collective bargaining

By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1364) of Pavel M. Payano, Vanna Howard, Michael D. Brady, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for legislation to streamline state employee collective bargaining. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees Workforce Development

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2356: An Act relative to collective bargaining rights of the state police

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1360) of Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to state police officers to collectively bargain their employment terms, including pay, hours, and disciplinary procedure. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees Workforce Development

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 386: An Act relative to the collective bargaining rights for employees of the committee for public counsel services

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1873) of Jason M. Lewis and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to collective bargaining rights for employees of the committee for public counsel services. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3746: An Act relative to teacher strikes

This bill (HD 3746) requires Massachusetts public school districts to maintain established school schedules and structured learning time during teacher strikes. It directly affects school districts and teachers by mandating that districts cannot reduce instructional hours or eliminate required learning time under state education regulations (603 CMR 27.03 and 27.04) when public school employees strike. The key provision adds a specific requirement to labor law, ensuring schools continue operating under their standard academic calendar during strikes. This policy change focuses on maintaining educational continuity for students during labor disputes.

Topics ✓ Education ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Teachers Collective Bargaining

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4041: An Act to provide fair wages to employees of public institutions of higher education

HD 4041 requires the state of Massachusetts to cover the full cost of fringe benefits (including pensions and health insurance) and incremental salary increases from collective bargaining agreements for employees at public universities and colleges. It applies to faculty and staff covered by agreements with the University of Massachusetts or the Board of Higher Education, excluding grant-funded or auxiliary positions. The bill mandates that these institutions must certify each agreement will ensure average salaries for each job category reach at least the national average (adjusted for cost of living) by the contract’s end. This shifts funding responsibility from institutions to the state budget for these specific costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2370: An Act relating to privileged communication between individuals and their labor organizations

HD 2370 creates a legal privilege protecting confidential communications between Massachusetts employees and their labor unions during representation matters. It directly affects employees seeking union assistance, current union members, and union representatives by shielding discussions about organizing, grievances, bargaining, or workplace issues from forced disclosure. The bill establishes new protections in Massachusetts General Laws (Section 20P), covering communications between employees and unions, employees and union attorneys, and internal union deliberations. Exceptions include communications related to crimes/fraud, breach of duty claims, or documented evidence where a union rep is an attesting witness. This privilege applies across all relevant labor laws governing unions (chapters 150A, 150E, and 161A).

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2367: An Act promoting a just transition and clean energy workforce standards

This bill requires Massachusetts gas companies to develop and submit detailed "just transition plans" to the Department of Public Utilities. These plans must ensure workforce stability and training as companies shift toward clean energy, including maintaining staffing levels as of January 1, 2025 (unless approved through collective bargaining or a department hearing), and providing cross-training for workers moving to renewable energy roles. Companies must outline how they will retain skilled workers for pipeline maintenance until 2050 or pipeline retirement, while also training staff for non-pipeline alternatives like hydrogen and renewable natural gas. The bill directly affects all gas distribution, transmission, and pipeline companies operating in Massachusetts under Chapter 164.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Renewable Energy Collective Bargaining

All labor & employment bills