Mass. AFL-CIO in the News

State House News Service: Senate Delays Vote on Education Bill

Mass AFL-CIO — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:19:40 -0500

As behind-the scenes deliberations headed into Monday night, Sen. Stephen Buoniconti (D-Springfield) called teacher contracts and collective bargaining rights the “biggest thing members are facing.” ...Senators were hit with a wave of opposition Monday on a number of the bill’s provisions, hearing from unions that the legislation “unnecessarily erases basic collective bargaining rights of public school teachers” and from advocates of existing charter schools that it would limit charter growth and undermine existing charters’ potential...The Massachusetts chapter of the AFL-CIO told senators in a letter dated Sunday that the bill would drive way teachers and be counterproductive to the goal of reducing differences in student performance along demographic lines.

Charters Pick up Union Turbulence - State House News Service

Guy McGuinn — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:44:00 -0400

Massachusetts AFL-CIO president Robert Haynes . . . told the News Service outside the hearing, "This is a silly law, to put so much power in the hands of just a few superintendents."

President Bob Haynes and William Tiniti's Editorial: "Stopping the Economic Tsunami" - Herald News

Guy McGuinn — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:06:21 -0400

Click to read Mass AFL-CIO President Bob Haynes and Chairman of the Massachusetts Workforce Board Association William J. Tinti's joint statement on the lack of workforce development and training in Massachusetts and its relation to the current unemployment and economic crisises in the state.

Budget cuts draw bleak predictions, calls for vetoes - Boston Globe

Amanda Montgomery — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:53:54 -0400

"Schools will close, municipal employees will be laid off, and waits for a new driver’s license will grow under a $27.4 billion state budget approved yesterday by House and Senate lawmakers."

Bunker Hill Day Salute - MetroWest Daily News

Amanda Montgomery — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:10:46 -0400

"Transportation restructuring, which hit a minor hang-up with the vehement protestations from organized labor led by the oft-vehement AFL-CIO president Robert J. Haynes..."

Sen. Tolman says Senate violated own rules by dropping union protections in transportation overhaul - State House News Service

Amanda Montgomery — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:33:15 -0400

"In the House, Rep. Martin Walsh (D-Dorchester), a top union backer, said the bill takes away workers’ collective bargaining rights and doubted that savings would result from its passage."

Legislature approves transportation bill despite union concerns - Boston Globe

Amanda Montgomery — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:26:53 -0400

"The Massachusetts House and Senate approved a transportation reform package this afternoon, despite the strenuous objections of lawmakers concerned about the impact it would have on union workers employed by a new transportation mega-agency. "

Leery of "Gallery of Rascals", Patrick Address Dem Faithful - State House News Service

Amanda Montgomery — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:38:34 -0400

"Consistent with his record, Robert Haynes delivered the stem-winder of the day, calling out his fellow Democrats for not doing enough to support labor-backed causes."

Gov. Deval Patrick hits brakes on cop details - Boston Herald

Amanda Montgomery — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:09:20 -0400

"Gov. Deval Patrick will today unveil an aggressive new push to accelerate his controversial flagmen program, which will aim to boot cop details from nearly half of state road construction projects, the Herald has learned."

Privatization debate - Boston Globe

Amanda Montgomery — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:08:25 -0400

"GLOBE COLUMNIST Scot Lehigh has renewed efforts to stir up controversy at the expense of public workers and their unions."