In Support of the Right to Collectively Bargain for Healthcare Coverage in the Public Sector

WHEREAS, health insurance plans for municipal workers are currently negotiated through collective bargaining with the union representing the workers; and

WHEREAS, the new legislation requires that municipal officials must engage in coalition bargaining to negotiate with union and retiree representatives the conditions for entering the GIC; and

WHEREAS, collective bargaining is a fundamental right for public sector workers, and is the most effective way for all workers, public or private, to achieve fairness in compensation and benefits for their hard work and indispensable skills; and

WHEREAS, there has been a great deal of media attention dedicated to the supposed economic benefits gained from municipal employees giving up their collective bargaining rights and entering the Group Insurance Commission, and this media attention has been propagated by the traditional opponents of organized labor; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO fully supports the right to collective bargaining for public employees, and encourages all unions that represent municipal employees to protect this right; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO is opposed to any further legislative efforts to infringe upon collective bargaining for public employees. This is in specific regards to recommendations from anti-union advocates that the coalition bargaining requirement be removed from the process of joining the GIC; and be it finally

RESOLVED, that the President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will transmit a copy of this resolution and other information to all relevant parties to demonstrate its ardent support for the collective bargaining rights of public employees.

Submitted by:
Robert J. Haynes, President
Louis A. Mandarini, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer