Collective Bargaining Agreements - Massachusetts

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

Massachusetts has substantial labor relations laws. While similar to the federal law, there are some additional provisions, including coverage of certain private sector employees over whom the National Labor Relations Board has declined jurisdiction, and employees of certain public authorities.

Among other things, Massachusetts labor relations laws contain the following provisions:

• Single employee in a one-man unit has collective bargaining rights.
• Covers all employees except agricultural workers, domestic service workers, any individual employed by his parent or spouse.
• There are specific requirements regarding arbitration.
• Labor relations commission may designate majority unions.
• Public employees are prohibited from striking. (The government will intervene whenever an industrial dispute that has not been settled by collective bargaining threatens an immediate and substantial interruption in the production or distribution of food, fuel, water, electric light or power, gas, or hospital or medical services which would dangerously curtail their availability in any community.)

Massachusetts labor relations law is not applicable to any unfair labor practice involving employees who are subject to and protected by the Federal Railway Labor Act, or to any unfair labor practice governed exclusively by the national labor relations act or other federal statute or regulations, unless the federal agency declines to assert jurisdiction or concedes jurisdiction to Massachusetts.

Right to work

The state has no right to work law.

State

Contacts

Labor Relations Commission

National Labor Relations Board (Region 1)

Regulations

Employer-Employee relations

General Laws of Massachusetts, Title II, Chapter 23, Sections 3 and 9O through 9R

Outside influences in labor disputes

General Laws of Massachusetts, Title XX, Chapter 147, Sections 27 and 30

Labor organizations

General Laws of Massachusetts, Title XXI, Chapter 149, Sections 2, 19, 20, 20A through 20E, 22 through 24, 179C and 180, 181, 183, 184

Labor relations

General Laws of Massachusetts, Title XXI, Chapter 150A, Section 1 et seq., Labor Relations

Settlement of disputes

General Laws of Massachusetts, Title XXI, 150B, Section 1 et seq., Peaceful Settlement Of Industrial Disputes Dangerous To Public Health And Safety.

Collective bargaining/ arbitration

General Laws of Massachusetts, Title XXI, Chapter 150C, Section 1 et seq., Collective Bargaining Agreements to Arbitrate

Public employees

General Laws of Massachusetts, Title XXI, Chapter 150E, Section 1 et seq., Labor Relations: Public Employees

Federal

Contact

National Labor Relations Board

Regulations

29 U.S.C. §§151-169

29 U.S.C. §401 et seq.