MARLBOROUGH – Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law the Majority Authorization bill, which will provide more Massachusetts workers with the opportunity to organize.
Joined by Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Suzanne M. Bump, AFL-CIO President Robert J. Haynes and legislative leaders, Patrick signed the legislation at the AFL-CIO’s 50th convention celebration.
"This bill is about leveling the playing field between labor and management," Patrick said. "It affirms the commonwealth’s policy of supporting workers who should be able to bargain collectively for fair wages, decent health care and on the job protections."
The Majority Authorization bill permits public-sector employees to become unionized through a "card check" written option instead of only through secret ballot elections. The law in Massachusetts is a modified state version of the national Employee Free Choice Act, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. The Free Choice Act recently failed to gain U.S. Senate approval. Patrick signaled his support for the Free Choice Act in a letter to Congress earlier this summer.
"One of the fundamental rights we have protected since the labor movement began in this country is the right of workers to organize and collectively bargain with their employer," said state House Ways and Means Chairman Robert A. DeLeo, lead sponsor of the bill in the House. "This right is fundamental to ensure working men and women are treated fairly and equitably throughout the economy. I sponsored this bill because I believe public employees who want to organize should be allowed to do so without impediment. With this signed in to law, we create an efficient and fair way they can make their will a reality."
"At a time when the purchasing power of the paychecks of most working men and women is decreasing, it is important that we allow people to exercise their rights to join unions," said state Sen. Robert O'Leary, D-Barnstable, lead Senate sponsor."By giving individuals the ability to join a union confidentially, without the fear of repercussions, this legislation enables working Americans to more freely assert their legal rights."
Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Robert J. Haynes said, "This is why working people fought so hard to elect a governor who would take our concerns to heart. We now have a new governor in Deval Patrick, who has pledged to sign the bill and is committed to improving the quality of life of working people, and together with the Legislature, we have won a major victory for workers in Massachusetts. Before the ink dries on the governor’s signature, working people's chances for a better life in Massachusetts will already be improved."
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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