Labor and collective bargaining rights are under attack all across this country.
We need leaders willing to invest in working people and protect labor rights.
Here’s what I’ll do if elected on September 1:
Crack down on wage theft:
We need legislation that holds large contractors accountable for hiring subcontractors who stiff workers, undercut unions, and shirk safety rules. We need zero tolerance for this behavior and must pass the wage theft bill that continues to languish in the House each year.
Emergency Paid Sick Time.
Essential workers like grocery store workers, healthcare workers, bus drivers, and others on the frontlines of COVID-19 should be covered by emergency paid sick time until the pandemic is over. Nobody should have to choose between feeding their families and staying home when they’re sick, especially when they risk spreading a deadly virus.
When commercial projects like the Suffolk Downs development take place, we need to make sure labor agreements include funding for job training, to help build the pipeline to union jobs for residents of that neighborhood.
We also need to build the pipeline to good jobs, by investing in vocational and technical schools – clearing the waiting list of thousands of students hoping to receive these opportunities.
Click here to watch my “virtual town hall” with the Alliance for Vocational and Technical Education!
A voice in safety regulations:
Labor must be represented on all boards that set safety requirements on job sites. A key priority for Operating Engineers is to have a voice in determining who is eligible for a hoisting license. Labor leaders across the state fought to have frontline workers represented in discussions on safely restarting economic activity after COVID-19.
We must always include worker representation in these discussions.
Working families need to live in affordable communities with access to jobs
Addressing our transportation crisis and the cost of housing is critical for working families – especially the most vulnerable, like service employees. Massachusetts must invest in a transportation system that connects working people with both affordable neighborhoods and good jobs.
Making State Government more transparent, to give working people a seat at the table – not just wealthy interests
Every year at the State House, popular legislation protecting working people – like the bill cracking down on wage theft – dies without ever coming to the floor for a public vote. I am the only candidate in this race to sign the Act on Massachusetts Transparency Pledge, pushing to make more votes public so more well-supported ideas can get to the Governor’s desk and into law.
Labor laws and worker protections
I’ve demonstrated my commitment to working families not only through my policy agenda, but also through my work in the trenches of state government.
As Legislative Director to Rep. Lori Ehrlich when she was vice chair of the Labor and Workforce Development committee, I played a role in passing a bill that protects workers from exploitative noncompete agreements, and pushing for legislation that prevents workers from being unfairly classified as independent contractors.
We have more work to do to crack down on these unfair business practices and I will bring that experience with me to Beacon Hill.
Joe Gravellese 