House Bill 1027

Title:

An Act to Provide Affordable Health Insurance through the Group Insurance Commission

Summary:

Statutorily changes the percentage state employees contribute to their health insurance premiums from 25% to 15%.

Sponsor:

Representative Michael F. Rush (D)

House Bill 1871

Title:

An Act to Provide a Safe Workplace for Employees of the Commonwealth its Independent Authorities and other Political Subdivisions

Summary:

Directs the Division of Occupational Safety of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to apply federal occupational safety and health standards as the minimum standards at any state workplace in the Commonwealth.

Sponsor:

Representative Martin J. Walsh (D)

House Bill 2383

Title:

An Act Relative to Employment Rights of Employees of the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority

Summary:

This legislation amends the Management Rights clause at the MWRA to allow employees to bargain over assignments and promotions.  The right to negotiate for assignments and promotional opportunities is an inherent right for all other employees of the Commonwealth.

Sponsor:

Representative Christopher G. Fallon (D)

House Bill 2384

Title:

An Act Providing Fairness and Equity to Employees of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

Summary:

House 2384 would prevent the MWRA from terminating employees without “just cause.” Presently employees can be terminated under an arbitrary and capricious standard.  Just cause in terminations would provide employees protection while at the same time recognizing management’s responsibilities.  Just cause is defined as malfeasance, misfeasance or dereliction of duty.  Virtually every state employee is subject to a “just cause” standard of discipline.

Sponsor:

Representative Christopher G. Fallon (D)

House Bill 2388

Title:

An Act to Improve the Civil Service System

Summary:

This legislation prevents the Personnel Administrator from revoking the civil service list.

Sponsor:

Representative Mark V. Falzone (D)

House Bill 2544

Title:

An Act Relative to Employees of the Commonwealth who are Required to Respond to Crime Scenes

Summary:

House 2544 classifies state employees who respond to crime scenes and areas of environmental contamination, including, but not limited to those required to inspect said areas, those who work in laboratories handling biological or other dangerous materials, and those whose duties include the use of scuba gear, as members of group 2 of the contributory retirement system for public employees.

Sponsor:

Representative Harold P. Naughton, Jr. (D)

House Bill 2559

Title:

An Act Relative to Retirement Allowance Computation

Summary:

Amends provisions relative to the computation of retirement benefits for public employees allowing fractional portions of age to be calculated for retirement purposes (i.e. 60.5 years of age).

Sponsor:

Representative Vincent A. Pedone (D)

House Bill 2641

Title:

An Act Relative to the Group Insurance Commission

Summary:

This legislation places a M.O.S.E.S member on Group Insurance Commission as a labor representative.

Sponsor:

Representative Martin J. Walsh (D)

House Bill 2986

Title:

An Act relative to MWRA employees

Summary:

Subjects the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority to regulations pertaining to the Pacheco Law.

Sponsor:

Representative Mark V. Falzone (D)

House Bill 3012

Title:

An Act Relative to Global Positioning System Technology and Public Employees

Summary:

Prohibits the state government and its political subdivisions from using Global Positioning System technology (GPS) to monitor or track their employees unless it is agreed to in a collective bargaining agreement; articulates MGL 7:52-56 as regulating the implementation and use of said technology in the absence of a collective bargaining agreement.

Sponsor:

Representative Robert J. Nyman (D)

House Bill 4073

Title:

An Act Relative to Collective Bargaining Rights.

Summary:

Filed in response to an unjust termination, H-4073 will prevent the State Police Colonel from using unfettered discretion in matters relative to hiring and disciplinary matters.

Sponsor:

Representative Martin J. Walsh (D)

Senate Bill 710

Title:

An Act to Provide a Safe Workplace for Employees of the Commonwealth

Summary:

Mandates the application of federal occupational safety and health standards as minimum standards for public employees of the commonwealth and its political subdivisions; grants the Division of Occupational Safety the authority to conduct investigations and issue subpoenas relative to same; authorizes the Division to promulgate regulations and issue corrective orders..

Sponsor:

Senator Marc R. Pacheco (D)

Senate Bill 1056

Title:

An Act Authorizing Certain Public Employees Creditable Retirement Service

Summary:

This legislation grants state employees who completed 10 or more years as a volunteer for the Peace Corps, Vista, the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service, or the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration up to, but not more than 5 years of creditable service.

Sponsor:

Senator James B. Eldridge (D)

Senate Bill 1178

Title:

An Act Relative to the Employee Rights of Employees of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

Summary:

This legislation amends the Management Rights clause at the MWRA to allow employees to bargain over assignment and promotions.  The right to negotiate for assignments and promotional opportunities is an inherent right for all other employees of the Commonwealth.

Sponsor:

Senator Anthony W. Petruccelli (D)

Senate Bill 1179

Title:

An Act Providing for Fairness and Equity for Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Employees

Summary:

Senate 1179 would prevent the MWRA from terminating employees without “just cause.” Presently employees can be terminated under an arbitrary and capricious standard.  Just cause in terminations would provide employees protection while at the same time recognizing management’s responsibilities.  Just cause is defined as malfeasance, misfeasance or dereliction of duty. Virtually every state employee is subject to a “just cause” standard of discipline.

Sponsor:

Senator Anthony W. Petruccelli (D)

Senate Bill 1206

Title:

An Act Providing for an Early Retirement Incentive for State Employees

Summary:

Directs the state board of retirement to establish and implement a retirement incentive for public employees in groups 1 and 2 of the contributory retirement system for public employees; authorizes eligible employees to request and receive a combination of years creditable service and age up to a sum of five; requires said employees to retire within twelve months of enactment of said provisions.

Sponsor:

Senator Steven A. Tolman (D)

Senate Bill 1218

Title:

An Act to Resolve Collective Bargaining Disputes

Summary:

This important legislation establishes binding arbitration to resolve collective bargaining disputes.

Sponsor:

Senator Steven A. Tolman (D)

Senate Bill 1434

Title:

An Act to Promote Safety, Efficiency and Accountability in Transportation Projects through Public Inspections

Summary:

Modeled after federal legislation, Senate 1434 requires public employees conduct inspections of  all public construction projects.

Sponsor:

Senator Michael O. Moore (D)

Senate Bill 1445

Title:

An Act Relative to MWRA Employees

Summary:

Subjects the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provisions regulating the hiring of private contractors by public and governmental entities.

Sponsor:

Senator Marc R. Pacheco (D)