Lewis files bill to replace MWRA termination language with ‘for just cause’

Representative Jack Patrick Lewis of Framingham filed legislation Jan. 15, 2025, proposing to amend Section 7(c)(ii) of chapter 372 of the Acts of 1984 to replace existing collective-bargaining language on termination and discharge of Massachusetts Water Resources Authority employees with the phrase “for just cause.”

The bill, entered as House No. 2896 and docketed as House Docket No. 1989, is titled “An Act providing for fairness and equity for Massachusetts Water Resources Authority employees.” The filing reproduces amendment language that strikes the phrase "provided that any collective bargaining agreement may protect employees against such actions on arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable grounds," and inserts the words "for just cause."

The bill document notes a similar matter filed in the previous legislative session (House No. 2456 of 2023-2024). The filing itself does not list co-sponsors, a committee referral, or any committee action; the docketed text in the file is limited to the petition and the proposed statutory amendment.

The text of the bill references Section 7(c)(ii) of chapter 372 of the Acts of 1984 (as cited in the filing) and would alter the statutory wording applicable to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the regional agency identified in the filing as the body whose employees are covered. The filing does not, within the document, define the operational scope of the Authority, list affected collective bargaining agreements by name, or state any effective date for the change.

Next steps under the legislative process are not recorded in this filing. The document on file is the bill petition and printed amendment language; subsequent actions (committee referral, hearings, or votes) are not shown in the submitted text.