Posts tagged Massachusetts
Minimum wage increasing in nearly half of states, including Nebraska
January 14, 2025 // The minimum wage will increase in nearly half the states this year even as the federal wage floor remains stuck at $7.25 per hour. In many states, the minimum wage is automatically adjusted upward as inflation rises. But voters in several states, including deeply red ones such as Nebraska, Alaska and Missouri, chose in November to significantly increase their minimum wages this year.
New Study: From Gig to Gone? ABC Tests and the Case of the Missing Workers
January 10, 2025 // The introduction of an ABC test caused significant declines in traditional (W-2) employment, self-employment, and overall employment. The ABC test reduced traditional (W-2) employment by 4.73% Self-employment fell by 6.43% Overall employment fell by 4.79% Occupations with high shares of independent contractors experienced the largest reductions in employment. These results suggest that contrary to the intended goal, ABC tests are not altering the composition of workers and leading to more workers becoming traditional W-2 employees, but they are reducing employment for both W-2 employees and self-employed workers.
Commentary: New Hampshire could boost manufacturing jobs with one simple trick: becoming a right-to-work state
December 17, 2024 // Policymakers hoping to help specific industries tend to suggest protectionist measures (such as tariffs). But with manufacturing, as with the economy as a whole, recent research shows that enhancing individual freedom by repealing protectionist regulations is a more effective way to stimulate significant job growth. To create a surge in domestic manufacturing jobs, all a state has to do is pass a right-to-work law.
‘Poverty wages have to go’: Some 200 rally at UMass flagship, calling for fair pay and full staffing
December 6, 2024 // Chong and McCullough were among about 200 union members, including AFSCME 1776, and workers from the Professional Staff Union, the Massachusetts Society of Professors, the University Staff Association and the Graduate Employee Organization, who joined together demanding more pay and more respect as negotiations get underway or continue for new contracts for staff and faculty.
Unionized Women & Infants Hospital workers prepare to launch strike Dec. 12
December 2, 2024 // The hospital highlighted its “generous proposal,” crafted over two months’ worth of “good faith” negotiations, according to a hospital press release. The current offer includes a $19 million wage and pension package over three years. That package would sport a minimum 5.5% wage increase for union employees, with some receiving higher bonuses, as well as low-cost health plans for workers. A strike, however, would cost the hospital at least $9 million just to continue operations as normal, and striking workers would not be paid for any shifts missed, Sullivan said.
MASSACHUSETTS: Tensions are rising as North Shore teachers remain on strike
November 22, 2024 // New court orders came down Thursday from an Essex County Superior Judge on the fines the teachers’ unions have faced over the last week, which increase by $10,000 a day. The judge suspended the fines for Friday to allow negotiations to continue without that burden, but the judge says if no deal is reached by the end of the weekend, the fines are back in place Monday. Plus, an expedited fact-finding mediation through the state will begin.
Commentary: Plan B is Activated
November 19, 2024 // They are now turning to Plan B, which is sectoral organizing. And they notched a big win in the recent election with a ballot proposition in Massachusetts—a win that the mainstream media is heralding as a good thing. In fact, the same pro-union media bias that we saw with reclassification attempts such as Assembly Bill 5 and the PRO Act is simply resetting and restarting anew. Now, it’s being used to promote this other way of trying to limit self-employment.
News Fines pile up as school is canceled again due to teacher strike in 3 Massachusetts communities
November 15, 2024 // "Everyone's getting dysregulated by the lack of routine, you have working parents," said Marceau. But she said even before the strike, Julian was having trouble getting in-classroom support because of understaffing. "Our in-classroom IEP requirements are not being met because we do not have paras in the classroom."
Classes canceled on Tuesday as teachers in 3 Mass. communities remain on strike
November 12, 2024 // Classes will be canceled Tuesday throughout public schools in Gloucester, Beverly and Marblehead, as negotiations between the teachers unions and school committees continue with no deal reached as of Monday evening. Teachers in the three North Shore communities returned to the bargaining table on Monday as they enter the first full week of a teachers strike.
Teachers in Beverly and Gloucester vote to go on strike
November 11, 2024 // "Teachers are essential employees who our children depend on for learning and safety during the school day. An illegal labor action will cause direct harm to students by forcing many to stay home without a parent or guardian able to care for them, removing access to mental health service options, and limiting students' abilities to secure warm meals," said Kathleen Clancy, on behalf of the Gloucester School Committee. The teachers union in Beverly said it has been without a contract for 67 days, and educators are taking a stand as the schools continue to be underfunded.