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SD 2356

An Act relative to collective bargaining rights of the state police

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Moore

Massachusetts bill grants state police collective bargaining rights to negotiate pay, benefits, and working conditions as a unified group rather than individually.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 2356

Legislative bill overview

SD 2356 would extend collective bargaining rights to Massachusetts State Police officers, allowing them to negotiate working conditions, pay, and benefits as a unified group. Currently, state police are prohibited from collective bargaining under Massachusetts law, unlike many other public safety employees in the state.

Why is this important

State police officers would gain the ability to negotiate employment terms collectively rather than individually, potentially affecting compensation structures, work schedules, and working conditions for hundreds of officers. This also impacts the state budget, as labor agreements typically involve significant cost implications for taxpayer-funded salaries and benefits.

Potential points of contention

  • Public safety operations: Opponents may argue that collective bargaining rights could complicate emergency staffing decisions or operational flexibility during crises, though other states manage this balance
  • Fiscal impact: The state budget could face increased costs if negotiated agreements result in higher compensation packages than current state-determined pay scales
  • Precedent and equity: Questions about why state police should have different rights than other state employees, and whether extending these rights to one group creates pressure to extend them to others

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

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