Bill > S1245

This bill aims to advance public employee labor rights. It amends Chapter 150E of the General Laws by modifying the section on public employee strikes and work stoppages. The key provisions are: 1) Public employees are prohibited from engaging in strikes, work stoppages, or withholding of services, except as provided in the bill. 2) If a strike occurs or is about to occur, the employer can petition the Department to investigate and set compliance requirements, including seeking court enforcement. 3) For petitions involving public employees other than police, fire, or correctional workers, the Department or court cannot issue relief to the employer if the employer has not satisfied its legal obligations or made reasonable efforts to settle the dispute. 4) The Department must first determine if the strike is related to alleged unfair labor practices by the employer before taking action, and cannot compel employees to articulate or adhere to a government-approved message. 5) For petitions involving non-police/fire/correctional public employees, a strike is only deemed "about to occur" if it is imminent, and no prior condonation or encouragement is unlawful.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S1245