Sisters and Brothers,
As many of you may know for about 3 years now, the legislative staff workers have been fighting for the right to form a union. There is currently a bill H.3069/S.2014 going through state government to amend Chapter 150E. Currently, under Chapter 150E legislative staffers are not permitted to form a union even if the majority of staffers support the formation.
There is precedent for staffers unionizing; in 2021 staffers in Oregon unionized under the IBEW, and recently Massachusetts state senator Edward Markey’s staff declared their intention to unionize. There are also unionization efforts underway in a handful of other states throughout the country.
If this bill is passed Chapter 150E would be amended to include the legislative branch employee’s ability to form a union. This would help the legislature retain staff by giving them the ability to negotiate a fair contract. This would also bring the legislative staffers in line with the rights that have been granted to most of the public and private sector. This would also allow staff to have a permanent position regardless of who is in leadership if they so choose.
I’ve been asked to speak on this issue in support of the Massachusetts State House workers this coming Wednesday at the State House. I ask all members of Local 1505 to sign the petition in support of the legislative workers.
In Solidarity,
John Bruno
IBEW, Local 1505, AFL-CIO
Business Manager
John.Bruno@local1505ibew.org
