Yesterday, Governor Healey released her proposal of the state budget, which has significant implications for the communities you and your coworkers serve across Massachusetts.
We’re happy to see that this budget proposal avoids layoffs to union jobs.
However, as we shared last week, the state proposed cuts to GIC that will increase co-pays, restrict eligibility and provide less coverage for healthcare our workers need. We are prepared to fight to protect your access to health insurance and are working alongside other labor unions to push back on this.
We are in the process of carefully reviewing the budget’s other line items and will update you with more details as we have them.
Though we are grateful that there are no layoffs, we still have challenges ahead to protect the working conditions of our members and the quality of care services you provide. We will need to keep pushing to enact practical revenue solutions, or we risk facing a deeper budget crisis in the next cycle.
As we move forward with sending budget updates, we will include ways that members can take action, including advocacy that involves reaching out to legislators.
In order to make sure this information reaches you, we strongly encourage you to provide the union with your personal (non-work) email address if you haven’t already done so. You can update your personal email address here.
In solidarity,
Dave Foley, SEIU 509 President
Kara Goodier, SEIU 509 Treasurer
