At the least one union is alerting Massachusetts public sector staff the state has proposed lowering its full-time workforce by providing buyouts of $10,000 for resignations and $20,000 for retirement, in accordance with an e-mail despatched out to members.
“The Commonwealth has presented all state worker unions, including Local 509, with a proposal to reduce the number of full-time employees across the Commonwealth,” SEIU Native 509 President Dave Foley wrote in an e-mail to union members. “The Commonwealth has proposed $10,000 for a voluntary resignation and $20,000 for retirement. Our understanding is that when these positions become vacant, they would not be backfilled and would be eliminated.”
The union has not agreed to the proposal, Foley acknowledged, and chapter presidents will “meet with the state to receive more information.”
SEIU’s Native 509 represents Massachusetts public sector staff together with staff on the Division of Kids and Households, Division of Transitional Help, Govt Workplace of Housing and Livable Communities, Division of Psychological Health, Division of Elementary and Secondary Schooling, MassHealth, and extra state companies.
A Native 509 spokesperson stated Monday they don’t at present have extra info apart from what was launched to members or the complete scope of the state’s proposal, together with which staff and different unions may very well be affected.
A number of different unions representing state staff in Massachusetts didn’t reply to inquiries as of Monday night. The Healey administration didn’t reply to repeated inquiries from the Herald.
The Native 509 president emphasised that the proposal is “not an early retirement program” that will enable staff to entry pensions early, and it could entail a “one-time lump sum payment to employees who choose to resign or retire.”
“There are many outstanding questions that remain about this proposal, such as what positions and agencies would be eligible to enroll in this program and receive this incentive,” the union stated within the communication to members. … “We brought together our Local 509 Public Sector Chapter Presidents to discuss the state’s proposal, and there is a strongly shared skepticism among all of us.”
Union leaders have issues lowering staffing ranges “would negatively impact both our members and the essential services we provide to clients and families,” Foley added.
Native 509 will proceed to replace members because the scenario develops, the president stated.
Although spending strains have been a subject on Beacon Hill this yr, given the uncertainty of federal funding, price range writers final month kept away from decreasing the income estimate for the present price range yr.
Healey’s Secretary of Administration and Finance, Matthew Gorzkowicz, informed lawmakers in October that the Division of Income is anticipating at the very least a $650 million state tax income lower this yr because of federal tax code adjustments.
However Gorzkowicz, in an October 15 income certification letter to Healey and key state lawmakers, stated his takeaway was “that forecasts anticipate a slowing economy rather than a recession” roughly in step with the December 2024 forecasts that underpinned the beginning of the fiscal yr 2026 course of.
In his letter, Gorzkowicz stated he’ll proceed to trace each income and spending traits and is ready to suggest so-called 9C cuts “or other appropriate measures to maintain budget balance” if circumstances warrant.
The so-called 9C cuts are unilateral mid-year price range cuts that may be made by the governor.
This summer time, Healey requested lawmakers to offer her expanded 9C powers to permit her to chop from a better vary of state accounts. Legislative leaders have been cool to the thought and municipal officers are staunchly opposed.
— Materials from State Home Information Service contributed.
Nancy Lane/Boston Herald
Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald, File)
