HomeMy Public PortalAbout7/12/2022 Resolution: IN SUPPORT OF A STATE HOUSE SENATE EMPLOYEE UNIONELECTED OFFICIALS:
Mark S. Sideris,
Council President
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr.,
Vice President &
District C Councilor
John M. Airasian
Councilor At Large
Watertown City Council
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6470
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A
STATE HOUSE SENATE EMPLOYEE UNION
WHEREAS, Since the Summer of 2020 formation of Beacon B.L.O.0 (Building
Leaders of Color), led by a collective of Black staffers of the Massachusetts State
House, legislative staff have been advocating for necessary reforms to advance
workplace equity; and
Caroline Bays WHEREAS, On March 31, 2022, representatives of the International Brotherhood
Councilor At Large of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2222 notified the President of the
Massachusetts Senate that a strong majority of Senate employees had signed
John G. Gannon, Councilor At Large authorization cards supporting the formation of a Massachusetts Senate staff
union; and
Anthony Palomba,
Councilor At Large WHEREAS, Once recognized, the Massachusetts State House Employee Union
will become the second state legislative staff union in the country, after Oregon in
Nicole Gardner, May 2021; and
District A Councilor
Lisa J. Feltner,
WHEREAS, Staff organizers have identified several factors motivating the
District B Councilor unionization effort, including the creation of a workplace free from discrimination
and sexual harassment; health insurance coverage beginning on the first day of
Emily Izzo, employment; fair and consistent pay grades across offices; measures to recruit,
District D Councilor support, and retain a diverse workforce; clearly defined job roles and
responsibilities; comprehensive professional development opportunities; and the
right to collective bargaining to provide staff a formal voice in matters concerning
their workplace; and
WHEREAS, Legislative staff are vital to the work of government in supporting
constituents and enacting good public policy, and a workplace that supports its
staff fosters strong, open, and respectful culture that will best serve residents of
the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The City of Watertown and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
consistently support unions and organized labor, believing that every worker
deserves a union;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Watertown City Council,
strongly supports the unionization efforts of legislative staff and urges recognition
of the Massachusetts State House Employee Union; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the City of Watertown be,
and hereby is, respectfully requested to transmit a suitably attested copy of this
Resolution to the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, and members of the
Watertown Delegation to the General Court.
Council Member
I hereby certify that at a regular meeting of the Town Council for which a quorum
was present, the above Ordinance was adopted by a vote of for, against,
and present on July 12, 2022 .
Marilyn W. Pronovost, Council Clerk Mark S. Sideris, Council President