Dozens of Union Members Visit Lawmakers in Support of Legislation Targeting Cheating Contractors

 

On Tuesday, May 11^th, several dozen union members and labor leaders gathered at the State House and visited lawmakers on the House Ways & Means Committee to urge quick and favorable action on ‘An Act Further Regulating Workers’ Compensation Insurance’ (SB 2375), or more commonly known as the Workers’ Comp Private Right of Action Bill. The bill, which passed the Senate in April, was sent to the Ways & Means Committee for action in the House. The committee must submit a favorable report on the bill in order for the full House of Representatives to have an opportunity to vote on it prior to the end of the legislative session on July 31^st. 

 

The Massachusetts AFL-CIO and its affiliate unions are fighting for the bill’s passage because it would enable the aggressive pursuit of contractors who intentionally cheat and underpay on their workers’ compensation premiums in order to submit illegally deflated bids. This practice is prevalent in many industries, but especially so in the construction industry. The Private Right of Action bill would allow three individuals, workers or contractors to sue a cheating contractor to ensure that they are paying the same premiums that all other employers must legally pay. The bill’s passage would level the playing field for honest contractors who play by the rules and protect workers whose employers may not be carrying workers comp insurance.

 

After visiting members of the committee and their own State Representatives, the group of union members met with Representative Martin Walsh, the bill’s lead sponsor in the House, who urged them to continue taking action on the bill in their home districts by meeting with their representative face-to-face, if they have not done so already.  

 

The bill has widespread support among unions and the employer groups who represent honest contractors. For more information on the bill, click here. Click here to automatically email your representative in support of SB 2375, An Act Relative to Further Regulating Workers' Compensation Insurance and other legislative priorities of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO.