In Massachusetts, Democrats join fight against unions’ collective bargaining rights
In a sign that Republican-led attacks on public unions’ collective bargaining rights may be reaching a tipping point on their way to widespread application, the Massachusetts House of Representatives Tuesday night passed Amendment 749 to its 2012 budget. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Brian (D-Essex), is said by its backers to save money by limiting the ability of public employee unions to negotiate over health coverage.
The Massachusetts amendment is different from similar legislation in other states because it was introduced by a Democrat and garnered the support of Democrats, passing in a 113 to 42 vote (the tally reported in the Boston Globe doesn’t reflect two late votes). The Massachusetts House of Representatives is overwhelmingly Democratic.
The Boston Globe’s Michael Levenson reports that Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, another Democrat, defended the bill as debate heated up Tuesday:
“„DeLeo said the House measure would save $100 million for cities and towns in the upcoming budget year, helping them avoid layoffs and reductions in services. He called his plan one of the most significant reforms the state can adopt to help control escalating health care costs.
“„“By spending less on the health care costs of municipal employees, our cities and towns will be able to retain jobs and allot more funding to necessary services like education and public safety,’’ he said in a statement.
The push to defend cuts to union rights in the name of saving jobs didn’t sit well with union leaders in Massachusetts, a state traditionally considered union-friendly. The Globe’s Levenson reports:
“„Unions fought hard to stop the bill, launching a radio ad that assailed the plan and warning legislators that if they voted for the measure, they could lose their union backing in the next election. After the vote, labor leaders accused House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and other Democrats of turning their backs on public employees.
“„“It’s pretty stunning,’’ said Robert J. Haynes, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. “These are the same Democrats that all these labor unions elected. The same Democrats who we contributed to in their campaigns. The same Democrats who tell us over and over again that they’re with us, that they believe in collective bargaining, that they believe in unions. . . . It’s a done deal for our relationship with the people inside that chamber.’’
“„“We are going to fight this thing to the bitter end,’’ he added. “Massachusetts is not the place that takes collective bargaining away from public employees.”
