2023-2024 Trial Court MOU and Salary Charts now available!

NAGE Trial Court MOU: July 2, 2023 - June 30, 2024 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. 
 

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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

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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
 

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NEWS  

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NEWS - January 2022
Enhanced Telework MOU for Probation  
Attached please see the MOU entered into between the Trial Court and NAGE which significantly enhances our members vacation accrual and carryover benefit.

Any questions or concerns feel free to contact your Local President.
 
Wishing you all a safe and healthy holiday!

MOU: Vacation Accrual and Carryover 
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ANNOUNCING DENTAL BENEFIT CHANGE
Effective January 1, 2020
 

• The level of benefits will not change from the current level provided by Delta Dental of Massachusetts. MetLife will provide full coverage for Type I Preventive and Diagnostic services, 80% coverage for Type II Restorative services and 50% coverage for Type III Prosthodontics and Major Restorative services when those services are received from MetLife PDP Plus network provider.

• As with the current Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier plan, if services are received from a dental provider that does not participate in the MetLife PDP Plus network, the percentage of coverage is lowered.  Full coverage remains for Type I Preventive and Diagnostic services.  MetLife will provide 65% coverage for Type II Restorative services and 40% coverage for Type III Prosthodontics and Major Restorative services.

• Orthodontic benefits will remain at 50% of the submitted charges, up to a lifetime benefit maximum of $2,500.00.

• To find out if your dentist is part of the MetLife PDP Plus Network refer to the Directory of Participating Providers available at www.metlife.com/mybenefits or call 1-800-942-0854.

•  If your provider is not currently listed on the MetLife PDP Plus network, ask them about joining.  They can visit the MetLife website at www.metdental.com or call 1-866-737-6895.  Or you can contact the Fund Office with the name and location of your dental office.  MetLife is committed to recruiting non-participating providers into the MetLife PDP Plus network.

• Dentist participating in the MetLife PDP Plus network have agreed to fees that are up to 35% less than what dentist normally charge.

• When you need dental services, you will be able to select a dentist from one of the MetLife PDP Plus network providers.  You may also see a non-participating provider, though as noted above, your coverage will be lower.

 

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NEWS
A new Death Benefit will be added to the Plan of Benefits for the Trial Court of Massachusetts
 
The Board of Trustees of NAGE/SEIU Local 5000 Trial Court of Massachusetts Health and Welfare Fund is pleased to announce the implementation of a $2,000.00 Death Benefit.  This benefit will be retroactive as of September 1, 2016. 

The death benefit is available for each eligible employee, spouse and dependent child.
 
Who Is Eligible?
A Death Benefit will only be paid for members or dependents who are eligible for Trust Fund benefits at the time of death.
 
Filing A Claim
A completed Death Benefit Claim Form must be submitted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts/NAGE Fund Office with a copy of the death certificate.  If a copy of the Death Certificate is not included, the claim will not be processed.
 
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the NAGE Health and Welfare Office.  They can be reached by phone at 1-800-641-0700 or via email at fundoffice@nage.org. 

The Board of Trustees continually strives to improve the Plan of Benefits for Trial Court members.  We are proud to take this step forward, as we did last year with the implementation of the Dependent Care Benefit.  
 

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Pencils Being Used On Interview Guide Scoring Sheets

It has come to our attention that the use of pencils by panelists on the interview guide scoring sheets during the interview process has continued to randomly occur.   We have brought that concern to the attention of Human Resources.  They have indicated in response that a directive will be going out to all interviewer panelists that they are required to use pen during the interviews when filling out the guides.   Please be aware of this requirement and if you are on an interview and observe the use of anything other than a pen, please alert the interviewer of the requirement and also contact the Union to report the protocol lapse.

 

Seniority Lists Available

Assistant Chief Probation Officers and Probation Officers
 

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Employee Assistance Program Available at No Cost

Trial Court members are reminded that the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to all Trial Court employees and their families at no cost. While this program is not new, we remind you that it’s a valuable resource if you or a colleague or family member is experiencing difficulties in your work or home life. The program is completely confidential and is described in the brochure that is linked to below.

If you or any member has a question about the program, please contact Roger Albrecht, Benefits Manager for the Trial Court at (617) 878-0373, who is managing this benefit.

Employee Assistance Program brochure