Bill > H4172

This bill amends the unemployment compensation law in Massachusetts. The key changes are: 1) It reduces the period for which a worker is ineligible for unemployment benefits due to a labor dispute from the full duration of the dispute to 30 days, unless the employer hires a permanent replacement worker for the claimant's position. 2) It provides exceptions to the 30-day waiting period if the labor dispute is caused by the employer's failure to comply with an agreement or law related to wages, hours, or working conditions. 3) It clarifies that paying regular union dues does not disqualify a worker from benefits during a labor dispute. 4) It states that a worker cannot be denied benefits due to an employer's "lockout" (i.e., refusing to provide work during a dispute) if the worker is ready, willing, and able to work under the existing or expired contract, unless the employer shows the lockout is in response to repeated property damage or threats.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H4172