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H 2185

An Act to provide fair wages to employees of public institutions of higher education

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 23 co-sponsors

The bill requires the Commonwealth to fund all incremental labor costs and fringe benefits for public higher education employees, aiming to reach national-average salaries by contr

Accompanied a study order, see H5370 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 2185

Summary: H 2185 — An Act to provide fair wages to employees of public institutions of higher education

Overview

H 2185, introduced February 27, 2025, seeks to ensure fair wages and benefits for employees of public institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. The bill would shift certain cost responsibilities to the Commonwealth, require funding of incremental labor costs from collective bargaining, and mandate certifications that wage progress aligns with national averages (adjusted for cost of living) over contract terms. A hearing is scheduled for April 16, 2025.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1 — Funding of incremental contract costs:
    The operating budget for the current and ensuing fiscal years must include an appropriation to fund all incremental cost items for all years covered by any collective bargaining agreement involving either:

    • the board of trustees of the University of Massachusetts, or
    • the board of higher education as the employer under chapter 150E.
      This funding is to be separate from appropriations for general maintenance of the universities and higher ed institutions, and excludes grant-funded and auxiliary enterprises accounts.

  • Section 2 — Fringe benefits funded by the Commonwealth:
    Notwithstanding other laws, the cost of fringe benefits (including pensions and health insurance) for employees of public institutions of higher education (as defined in section 5 of chapter 15A) shall be the Commonwealth’s obligation. This excludes positions funded by grant funds and positions funded through auxiliary accounts.

  • Section 3 — Salary adequacy certification:
    In submissions required under chapter 150E (as amended), the board of higher education and the board of trustees of the University of Massachusetts must include a certification that incremental cost items within the applicable collective bargaining agreement are adequate to ensure that, by contract end, average salaries for faculty and staff in Massachusetts will be at least the national average (adjusted for cost of living) for each broad job category.

Who Is Affected

  • Employees: Faculty and staff at public institutions of higher education in Massachusetts (including UMass and other public colleges governed by the Board of Higher Education).
  • Employers/Funding Bodies: The Commonwealth as the funding authority for incremental costs and fringe benefits; the boards of trustees for UMass and the Board of Higher Education as employers under Chapter 150E.
  • Budgets/Programs: Operating budgets for public higher education, excluding grant-funded and auxiliary-funded positions.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Referred to Committee: Labor and Workforce Development (same date)
  • Hearing: Scheduled for April 16, 2025, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM in Room A-2
  • Status Note: Senate concurrence indicated on February 27, 2025; related House bill is HD 4041 (replaces).

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Fiscal Impact: The bill would obligate the Commonwealth to fund all incremental costs of collective bargaining and the full cost of fringe benefits for public higher education employees, potentially increasing operating budgets (with exceptions for grant-funded and auxiliary accounts).
  • Wage Equity Goals: Aims to bring average salaries for faculty and staff to at least the national average (adjusted for cost of living) by the end of each contract term, per job category.
  • Administrative Burden: Requires certification in contract submissions regarding adequacy of incremental costs to achieve target wage levels.

Summary Outlook

If enacted, H 2185 would explicitly require the Commonwealth to finance incremental labor costs and fringe benefits for public higher education, while mandating progress toward national-average salaries. It adds a verification mechanism to ensure wage targets are achievable through the specified incremental costs. The measure is pending committee action following the scheduled hearing.

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

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