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POLITICAL ACTION ALERT REGARDING MUNICIPAL HEALTH INSURANCE:
HOUSE VOTES TO STRIP BARGAINING RIGHTS
In a middle-of-the-night vote, the Massachusetts House of Representatives moved to strip collective bargaining rights from teachers and other public sector employees. The plan would allow cities and towns to force their employees into the state’s Group Insurance Commission. The Senate will now take up the measure.
AFT MA president Tom Gosnell assailed the move, likening it to recent attacks on the collective bargaining rights of public workers in Wisconsin and Ohio. “We are strongly opposed to any weakening of collective bargaining rights. The way to achieve savings is for unions and municipalities to work together at the bargaining table, not to take away the rights of teachers and librarians.”
The plan approved by the House this week requires municipalities to discuss the changes with union representatives for 30 days. If no agreement is reached, however, the municipality can impose the changes without union approval. The plan also requires municipalities to share health care savings with employees. The measure passed by a vote of 113-42. How did your representative vote? Note: Lynn's Ehrlich, Fennell, and Walsh voted against this bill (our way).
PLEASE ACT:
Please contact your state representative and senator to urge him or her to keep health insurance in collective bargaining. You can participate in this campaign by visiting AFT MA’s Action Alert at AFT Massachusetts CLICK HERE.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
To see text for senate or house bills CLICK HERE then type in the appropriate bill number.
To view elected officials page CLICK HERE.
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