News Updates

The Massachusetts State Senate is currently debating their budget proposal for FY 2009. Senator Stephen Buoniconti and Senator Gale Candaras have co sponsored an amendment to increase head start funding by $1 million. If passed, this amendment would raise Head Start funding to the same level as the House budget.

Senate President Therese Murray kept her promise to state employees. The Senate budget proposal released this week does not seek to increase the premium percentage that state employees pay for health insurance. The Senate budget maintains the current rate structure.

Thanks to all of the SEIU 888 members who made phone calls and sent emails over the last week, the House of Representatives voted to reject Governor Patrick’s proposal to increase health insurance premiums for state employees. The final House budget will maintain the current employee contribution rate structure. 

 House Bill 3224 would require the state and local governments to collectively bargain over the use of Global Positioning System technology (GPS) for the purpose of monitoring or tracking public employees. This legislation would prohibit public employers from unilaterally implementing GPS monitoring on employees. House Bill 3224 was heard by the Joint Committee on State Administration and received a favorable report. This means that the members of the Committee voted to support our bill. 

On Wednesday, April 16, the House Ways and Means Committee released its budget proposal for FY 2009. The $28 Billion spending package includes Governor Patrick’s proposal to increase health insurance premium shares for state workers. It is now up to us to make sure that our message is heard. [Updated]

 In recent weeks, State House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi has publicly supported giving municipal leaders unilateral authority to join the state Group Insurance Commission.

While the Speaker has not filed legislation to date, his proposal would remove municipal unions from the bargaining process and give city and town leaders the sole authority to determine health benefits.

On Wednesday, February 13, The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development heard testimony on legislation that would make OSHA the minimum safety standard for public employees in Massachusetts. Please take a moment to email your state Representative and Senator to register your support for this important legislation.