Victories in Mass. House Budget on Health Costs, Tewksbury Beds

The Massachusetts House Budget for FY2017 protects state workers hired before 2003 from Governor Charlie Baker's unfair proposal to increase the burden of health care costs on public service workers. Baker's budget proposal would have reneged on a deal made in 2003 that ensured that all state employees hired before 2003. Baker proposed increasing costs by 20 percent, which would have made it difficult for workers to afford the health care they need. We thank the House for rejecting Baker's proposal to increase health costs for working families.

In addition, AFSCME Council 93 thanks Rep. Jim Miceli and the entire House for ensuring that health care at Tewksbury State Hospital will be protected. The House passed language protecting the current number of beds in Tewksbury and ensuring that there will be no reductions in the number of beds during this fiscal year.

Vermont Homecare Workers Ratify Contract

Members of Vermont Homecare United Local 4802 ratified their new contract by a vote of 176 to 4 during their election. Ballots were counted on March 18. The new contract becomes effective on July 1, and includes a wage increase to $11.04 per hour. The contract increases the daily rate for respite care to $168.00 per day, improves language regarding State Provider Cooperation Committee meetings and extends timelines for grievance adjustment procedures.