Bill > H2087

This bill establishes a new legal privilege for confidential communications between employees and labor organizations in Massachusetts, creating a framework that protects these interactions from mandatory disclosure in most circumstances. The legislation defines labor organizations broadly and includes both employees who are union members and those seeking representation, covering communications related to employment matters such as collective bargaining, grievances, wages, working conditions, and dispute resolution. Under the proposed law, neither labor organization representatives nor employees can be compelled to disclose confidential communications made during the course of representation, with only limited exceptions for preventing serious physical harm or addressing potential criminal activities. The privilege can be claimed by either the employee or the labor organization and applies across various chapters of Massachusetts law, including those governing labor relations, public transportation, and workforce development. The bill's findings emphasize that this protection is intended to foster industrial peace, protect human dignity, and enable labor organizations to effectively represent workers by ensuring they can communicate freely and confidentially. The new legal provision will take effect on January 1, 2026, providing labor organizations and employees with a clear legal standard for protecting sensitive communications related to employment and representation.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2087