To ensure pay parity for county sheriffs' correction officers and jail officers
An important aspect of this legislation is its intention to align the base salaries of county sheriffs' correction officers and jail officers with those of the Department of Correction's correction officers. The bill stipulates that the salary adjustment will be made through equal annual increments over three fiscal years after its passage, ensuring a gradual and organized increase in pay. This strategy is designed to eliminate wage disparities that may exist between similar roles in different governmental organizations, thereby improving morale and retention among correctional staff.
House Bill 2627 aims to ensure pay parity for county sheriffs' correction officers and jail officers in Massachusetts. The bill proposes to re-title positions within the fourteen county sheriffs' offices to align with corresponding job titles in the Department of Correction. The specific titles will be Correction Officer I, II, and III or Jail Officer I, II, and III, depending on the core duties and responsibilities of the officers within the sheriffs' offices. This change is intended to standardize salaries and support equity among correction officers across different jurisdictions.
There may be points of contention regarding how this bill impacts collective bargaining agreements for the affected officers. Specifically, during the three-year period of salary adjustments, county sheriffs will not be required to negotiate base salary rates under Chapter 150E, which governs public employee labor relations. However, this does not eliminate their obligation to comply with existing collective bargaining agreements. Debate may arise over whether this stipulation undermines the bargaining power of the officers' unions or if it supports them by ensuring salary increases that could enhance their position in future negotiations.