We have good news to report. Just moments ago, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a supplemental budget filed by Governor Maura Healey that includes funding for our new three-year Unit 2 contract and several other collective bargaining agreements.
The budget now moves to the Senate. As is almost always the case, we expect the Senate budget to contain funding for the contracts, but we expect the Senate version to differ (in other areas) from the house budget. These differences will have to be resolved by a six-person conference committee comprised of three members from each branch. Once a compromise is reached on a single budget, the house and senate will be required to take one final vote to “enact” the legislation budget before sending it to Governor Healey to be signed into law.
While the first of five raises totaling 11% for the Unit 2 Statewide Contract will go into effect in January 2025, all other provisions of the contract will be effective on July 1, 2024.
As always, Council 93 will be working in coalition with other public sector unions to move the process along as quickly as possible. We will keep you posted.
