We have received a number of questions about the 1-year successor agreement that was ratified just a few weeks ago. We want to make sure that all of our members understand the funding timeline that comes after ratification. 

Now that the successor contract has been ratified by the membership, the Administration submits the contracts to the legislature for authorization and funding. 
 
The authorization language is normally passed by the legislature as part of a supplemental budget. While we do not know the timeline for the next supplemental budget yet, NAGE will advocate for the legislature to move as quickly as possible to get money in our member’s pockets. However, it is likely that the next supplemental budget will not be passed before the fall.
 
Please remember that raises take effect the first pay period in July 2023, but we anticipate the money to be in your paychecks sometime this fall, which would include retroactive payments back to July.
 
We will keep you updated as any new information becomes available. 
 

June 21, 2023
Contract Ratification Results 

First, we would like to thank all of our members who participated in the Contract Ratification.

Second, congratulations!

With a staggering 97.36% of the ballots voting to Approve the Proposed Successor Agreement, you have voted to ratify your 1-year successor agreement! This contract was hard fought, and we would not have been able to attain the parameters we did without the leadership of the Bargaining Team, the solidarity of the NAGE-led union coalition, or the Healey Administration

June 2023
Contract Ratification Notice

NAGE is proud to announce that we have reached an agreement with the Trial Court for a 1-year successor contract. The contract ratification vote for the Trial Court is set to begin on Monday, June 12, 2023, via electronic ballot. Voting will run until Wednesday, June 21 at 9:00AM. 

I would like to thank the NAGE/Trial Court representatives and the Contract Negotiations Team who put forth an incredible effort to get this contract offer.
 
This contract offer, which is the richest in the history of collective bargaining in this state, is the result of many things. First, political involvement is important: we elect our employers, and NAGE has been a longtime supporter of our current governor Maura Healey. NAGE formed a coalition of state employee unions, led by EVP Theresa McGoldrick and Chief State Negotiator Kevin Preston, and worked hard to keep them together. The coalition asked NAGE President David Holway to be the lead negotiator and spokesperson in dealing with the new administration.
 
President Holway and the coalition leaders met with the Governor-elect and Lieutenant Governor-elect before they took office in December and outlined the financial harm done to state employees by the Baker years. After the Healey Administration took over, President Holway and the NAGE team sat down with the Secretary of Administration and Finance to hammer out a new contract. President Holway rejected the Commonwealth’s first offer and countered with what we are putting before you, which is what the Commonwealth accepted.
 
The fact that we have worked for years with Governor Healey and that she was open to free-flowing dialogue is a prime example of why political activism counts.
 
I would also like to note the fact that our coalition partners stuck together and sent a strong message that none of us would falter, further ensuring the success of this negotiation.  

In order to give you ample time to weigh the pros and cons of the agreement, the highlights and the MOU are provided below. 

The successor agreement MOU highlights are as follows:

• Two (2) 4% across-the-board pay increases. The first increase is effective July 2023, with the second following in January 2024. Due to compounding effect, the increases effectively total an 8.16% pay increase by January 2024.
• Additional funding that we negotiated will go toward other economic improvements for our membership. NAGE intends to use these funds for the following:
  • $3/week per member increases to the NAGE Health and Welfare Trust Fund to enhance benefits for our members, including doubling the Dependent Care benefit and significant increases to dental benefits.
  • For any member making under $50,000.00, minimum $2,000 raises for both the July ‘23 and January ‘24 raises, respectively.
  • A .75% increase to those at the max step on the pay scale, effective July 2023. This increase is monumental, as even if you are not currently at the top step, you will likely benefit from this provision in the future: when you do reach the top step, it will then be .75% higher than it otherwise would have been without this provision. Your top step will also most likely be the Step you are at upon your retirement, and thus what it is based on.

I want to remind everyone that execution of these increases is subject to the legislative funding process, which may slow it down. However, NAGE will keep everyone up to date on when they should receive these increases.

If you have any questions on the MOA, please contact your Local President.

*This number includes compounding.

Trial Court 1-year Successor Agreement MOU
 

March 27, 2023
Action Required: GIC Annual Open Enrollment
 

The Group Insurance Commission (GIC) Open Enrollment period will begin on April 5, 2023, and end on May 3, 2023.

All plan changes must be submitted by May 3, 2023, with no exceptions.

Plan changes should be submitted through the GIC Employee Benefit Portal. Your portal is available 24/7 and includes several resources to aide you during this open enrollment period. Log into make benefit changes, view your current GIC benefits, and access the 2023-2024 Benefit Guide.
 

Log Into The Benefit Portal Here
 

Significant Changes for 2023-2024