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Supporters urge restoring right to strike for certain Massachusetts public employees; municipal leaders warn of disruption
Summary
Educators, public workers and union leaders urged the Joint Committee to restore the right to strike for certain public employees; the Massachusetts Municipal Association opposed the change, citing legal and budget constraints and the impact on students and taxpayers.
Educators, municipal employees and union leaders urged the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development to advance legislation restoring the right to strike for certain public employees (House Bill 2078; Senate Bill 13-11), saying it would improve bargaining and help retain staff. The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) testified in opposition, warning that legalizing some strikes would disrupt students and strain local budgets.
Supporters described strikes as a last-resort bargaining tool that compels employers to negotiate in good faith. Representative Madre Decker, testifying in support of H2078, said the bill would "restore for most public sector employees the right to strike after a 6-month period of negotiations" and argued that the threat of…
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