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SD 2408

An Act relative to a prevailing wage for trash and recycling collectors, moving contractors, and motor bus pupil transporters

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jake Oliveira

Massachusetts expands prevailing wage to moving contractors, waste-collection workers, and school-bus drivers on public works; rates set by the Commissioner with penalties.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 2408

Summary: An Act relative to a prevailing wage for trash and recycling collectors, moving contractors, and motor bus pupil transporters (SD 2408)

Overview

SD 2408 proposes to expand Massachusetts’ prevailing wage requirements to specific service sectors involved in public works and government contracts. The measure, introduced Feb. 27, 2025 by Senator Jacob R. Oliveira, would mandate that contracts for certain moving, waste collection, and pupil transportation activities include prescribed wage rates determined by the state Commissioner. The bill passed the Senate with the House concurring and was referred to the House Committee on Labor and Workforce Development on the same day.

Purpose and Intent

  • Ensure that workers in critical public-facing service sectors receive fair, standardized wages on contracts funded or managed by state or local government.
  • Align compensation for trash and recycling collectors, moving contractors, and motor bus pupil transporters with established wage standards to prevent underpayment and promote labor standards across public works.

Key Provisions

Section 27F — Wages of operators of rented equipment; agreements; penalties; civil action

  • Applies to public works contracts entered by the Commonwealth, counties, cities, towns, or districts for use of trucks or related equipment.
  • Requires contracts to include a stipulation of prescribed wages, as determined by the state Commissioner; a contract lacking such a clause is invalid.
  • Wage rates must cover both wages and contributions to health and welfare funds or pension plans (or direct payments if no plan exists).
  • Violations trigger civil actions: employees may sue within 3 years for injunctive relief, damages, lost wages/benefits, with potential treble damages, litigation costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Section 27G — Wages of employees of moving contractors

  • Extends the same prevailing wage requirement to contracts for moving office furniture and fixtures.
  • Mirrors 27F in requiring rates set by the Commissioner, with health/pension contributions and similar enforcement mechanisms (civil action and treble damages).

Section 27I — Wages of school bus drivers; contracts; injunctive relief; damages

  • Applies to contracts for transportation of pupils by motor bus companies (as defined by law) with school districts or municipalities.
  • Requires wage stipulations determined by the Commissioner; invalid if absent.
  • Includes health/pension contributions and the same enforcement remedies as 27F/27G.

Scope and Affected Parties

  • Public works contractors and subcontractors performing moving, waste collection, or pupil transportation for the Commonwealth, counties, cities, towns, and districts.
  • Employees in these sectors who are paid under such contracts.

Enforcement and Timeline

  • Violations subject to AG involvement, civil actions, and treble damages for lost wages/benefits.
  • 90 days after a complaint is filed with the Attorney General (or sooner with AG consent) to pursue litigation, within 3 years of the violation.
  • Implementing regulations and wage schedules would be issued by the Commissioner, with schedules detailing job classifications and wage rates.

Legislative Status

  • House concurred on February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to the House Committee on Labor and Workforce Development.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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