Right to Strike

An Act uplifting families and securing the right to strike for certain public employees - H.1845 - S.1217

  • Abolishes the prohibition on certain public employees striking, namely teachers

Massachusetts public employees, including educators, are currently prohibited by state law from engaging in a strike, regardless of their working conditions, their students’ learning conditions, or whether their employer may have committed unfair labor practices. This outright ban on public employees striking is deeply unjust, prevents educators from bargaining on a level playing field with their employers, and unfairly restricts the ability of educators to take collective action in support of themselves and their families, their students and
the communities they serve.

An Act uplifting families and securing the right to strike for certain public employees would
address this injustice by:

  • Allowing educators and other public employees, except for public safety personnel, to legally strike after six months of failed negotiations with their employer.
  • Ensuring that the right to free speech is no longer restricted for public employees and their unions as it relates to discussing or supporting a strike.

the decision makers

Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Who on committee has co-sponsored:

state senators:

Patricia Jehlenred x
Patricia Jehlen (D)
Somerville

chair

Jason Lewisred x
Jason Lewis (D)
Winchester

chair

Sal DiDomenicored x
Sal DiDomenico (D)
Everett
Paul Feeneygreen check
Paul Feeney (D)
Foxborough
Patrick O'Connorred x
Patrick O'Connor (R)
Weymouth
John Croninred x
John Cronin (D)

state representatives:

Josh Cutlerred x
Josh Cutler (D)
Duxbury

chair

Kip Diggsred x
Kip Diggs (D)
Barnstable

chair

Aaron Saundersred x
Aaron Saunders (D)
Colleen Garryred x
Colleen Garry (D)
Dracut
John Rogersred x
John Rogers (D)
Norwood
Jonathan Zlotnikred x
Jonathan Zlotnik (D)
Gardner
Christopher Flanaganred x
Christopher Flanagan (D)
David Robertsonred x
David Robertson (D)
Tewksbury
Simon Cataldored x
Simon Cataldo (D)
Acton
Donald Wongred x
Donald Wong (R)
Saugus
Michael Soterred x
Michael Soter (R)
Bellingham

Who has co-sponsored:

History of the bill

2025

Feb 2024

Accompanied a study order, S2633

2024

Jan 2023

Bill re-filed as H.1845/S.1217

Oct 2023

Joint committee hearing held

Feb 2023

Referred to the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

2023

Sep 2022

Sent to study (Study Order: H.5023)

2022

Jul 2021

Hearing held by the Labor and Workforce Development Committee

Mar 2021

Referred to the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Jan 2021

Re-filed as H.1946

2021

Feb 2020

Sent to study

2020

Jul 2019

Labor committee hearing

2019

Jun 2018

Sent to study (Study Order: H.4654)

2018

Jan 2017

Referred to the Committee on Labor and Workplace Development

May 2017

Discharged to the Committee on Public Service

Jan 2017

Filed as H.2361

2017

Advocacy Organizations

MTA
AFT-MA