AFSCME Council 93 is delighted to announce that we have come to agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on providing significant, permanent wage increases for critically important state employees. These employees include more than 5,000 human service workers in the Departments of Developmental Services, Mental Health and Youth Services, all of whom provide direct care services to the State’s most vulnerable populations throughout the Commonwealth.
“If nothing else, the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the critical nature of the work done by these essential workers. At no point during the pandemic were these employees able to work from home. Their work is in person, every day, face-to-face, exposed to a wide variety of risks even beyond the COVID virus,” said AFSCME Council 93 Executive Director Mark Bernard. “On top of all that, these jobs are not very well paid, which is why recruiting and retaining these workers is and has been such a challenge. This new agreement is a significant step forward in addressing the low pay issue and hopefully in recruiting and retaining qualified, dedicated and compassionate employees to continue serving those in the state’s care and/or custody.”
Beginning June 5, 2022, existing Disability Services Workers, Mental Health Workers and Nursing Assistants will receive raises of 13.86%. LPN staff will receive increases of 9.41%. Youth Services Group Workers will receive raises of 10.35%. On July 3, 2022, all bargaining unit members will also receive a 2% COLA adjustment. In addition, from July 17 through September 11, 2022, eligible employees will continue to receive 50% of the incentive pay they’ve been getting for approximately the last 18 months. Incentive pay differentials, weekend and shift, will be discontinued effective September 11, 2022.
The bottom line is that this agreement provides these essential workers with permanent, not temporary, pay increases that more appropriately reflect the value of the work they do, the risks they run, and the care they provide. “There is, of course, still more to do to improve the wages and working conditions of this critical group of employees,” said Bernard. “But this agreement puts this essential part of the public sector workforce significantly closer to where it needs to be!”
“This agreement would not have been possible without the hard work and persistence of the Unit 2 Presidents and Eddie Nastari, Director of Field Services and Organizing,” said Bernard. “Congratulations to all of you, and thank you for your dedication and grit!”
