According to a New York Times article, the Massachusetts House of Representatives has voted to limit collective bargaining in the State to the extent local governments will be able to unilaterally set co-payment and deductibles for worker health insurance.
This move is noteworthy for two reasons. Massachusetts is a heavily Democratic state and the state held up as the model for health care reform. The proposed change still must pass the State Senate.
The move also again highlights the detrimental relationship between politicians and public unions. It would be nice to assume politicians are elected to act in the best interests of the state even while being mindful of the districts they represent. However, the old alliance to major voting blocks is still apparent.
“Everybody’s pretty upset,” said Robert J. Haynes, president of the Massachusetts A.F.L.-C.I.O. “It’s hard for me to understand how my good friends in the Massachusetts House, that have told me they support collective bargaining, could do this.”
Related Articles
- Anti-Union Bills Moving in… Massachusetts? (news.firedoglake.com)
- Does Limiting Public Employee Collective Bargaining Save Money For State And Local Governments? (webnerhouse.com)
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