As public employees continue to put their lives on the line every day while most of the country shelters safely at home, newly-filed legislation in Massachusetts would provide retroactive time and a half compensation to ALL PUBLIC EMPLOYEES who are required to work outside their home during the state of emergency period declared on March 11.

The legislation (House Docket 4970) was filed by State Representative Tackey Chan and already has 36 co-sponsors.

Council 93 is working in coalition with other public-sector unions on this legislation and we are asking ALL MEMBERS IN MASSACHUSETTS to contact their state representative and state senator by phone and/or email and ask them to support the bill. Specifically, members should ask their legislators to:

"Co-sponsor House Docket 4970 and urge House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka to facilitate fast action on the legislation in both branches."

When you call/email, please provide your legislator with your full name; home city/town; job title, work location; and contact phone number if you are reaching out by phone.

Hold them accountable to providing their position on the legislation by asking for a response either by phone or in writing.

Your calls and emails can be enhanced by sharing details on the specific work you are doing; the daily dangers/hazards you are encountering; and how working during this crisis while most are sheltering safely at home, has affected you and your family.

Council 93 members can locate the names and contact information of their legislators simply by entering their home address in this link.

Please note that while the title of this legislation only references state employees, the legislation applies to all public-sector workers.