Teamsters Urge MA Lawmakers to Reject Worker Misclassification Bill
Editorial StaffTL/DR -
The Teamsters union is urging Massachusetts lawmakers to reject legislation H.1099/S.666, arguing it enables the wider misclassification of workers. The group claims that this bill indirectly supports misclassification by offering a small part of collective bargaining rights that workers should already be entitled to under federal law, hence undermining the "ABC" test used in Massachusetts to ascertain employment status. They further state that the bill conflicts with recent, worker-friendly standards from the Department of Labor, which clearly distinguish between employees and independent contractors.
Legislation Undermines State, Federal Standards for Employment Status Determination
The Teamsters urge Massachusetts lawmakers to reject H.1099/S.666, legislation promoting worker misclassification expansion.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien opposes changes to legislation that would support corporations like FedEx, Amazon, Uber, and Lyft, who allegedly misclassify workers as independent contractors. He calls for laws to reinforce these corporations' responsibility towards their employees.
This bill indirectly supports misclassification of professional drivers by offering limited collective bargaining rights that workers should already enjoy under federal law. Consequently, it contradicts a Massachusetts law that uses a three-tiered approach (the “ABC” test) for employment status determination. H.1099/S.666 also conflicts with the Department of Labor's new pro-worker standards, effective from March 11, which clearly distinguish between employees and independent contractors.
Tom Mari, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 10, criticizes H.1099/S.666 for encouraging more misclassification and potentially jeopardizing enforcement against employers refusing to comply with the ABC test. He urges lawmakers to reject these bills.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents 1.3 million dedicated workers in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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