To ensure pay parity for county sheriffs' correction officers and jail officers
If passed, the legislation would amend Chapter 37 of the General Laws, which governs county officers and their pay structure. The proposed changes are designed to close the gap in compensation between county correction officers and their counterparts in the state correction system, thereby promoting equal pay for equal work. This could enhance recruitment and retention of qualified personnel within county sheriffs' offices, addressing current disparities in pay that may contribute to staffing challenges in these roles.
House Bill 2338 aims to ensure pay parity for correction officers and jail officers employed in county sheriffs' offices across Massachusetts. Specifically, this legislation seeks to standardize the salaries of these officers, re-titling them as Correction Officer I, II, and III or Jail Officer I, II, and III based on their roles and responsibilities. The bill mandates that their base salaries align with those of the Department of Correction while providing a gradual increase over three fiscal years following the enactment of the bill.
Discussion surrounding HB 2338 may revolve around the implications for collective bargaining practices. While the bill temporarily exempts county sheriffs from negotiating salary rates under Chapter 150E for the first three years, it reverts to full bargaining obligations thereafter. Critics may argue that this could undermine the collective bargaining rights of correction officers in the short term, while proponents could assert that it is a necessary step to ensure fair compensation without the complications of ongoing negotiations during the adjustment period.