Bill > S1365

This bill aims to improve wages and benefits for employees at public higher education institutions in Massachusetts by making several key changes to existing law. First, it requires the state's operating budget to include separate funding for incremental cost items in collective bargaining agreements for the University of Massachusetts and other public higher education institutions, ensuring these costs are not drawn from general maintenance budgets. Second, the bill mandates that the Commonwealth will be responsible for covering fringe benefits like pensions and health insurance for these employees, excluding grant-funded and auxiliary enterprise positions. Lastly, the bill requires the Board of Higher Education and the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees to certify that proposed collective bargaining agreements will ensure faculty and staff salaries reach at least the national average for each job category when adjusted for the state's cost of living. This legislation seeks to address wage competitiveness and ensure fair compensation for public higher education employees by creating dedicated funding mechanisms and establishing salary benchmarks relative to national standards.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1365