GERRY: Below and attached is the Copy of the Home Rule Petition voted on by the City Council Tuesday Night. This comes from the City of Lowell Website, City Council Packet for July 13th pages 40/41. I Highlighted the fact that according to the Petition the State Delegation (Rep. Golden, Murphy, Nangle and Sen. Steve) have already pledged support which is why I did not include them in my post yesterday.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
CITY OF LOWELL
In City Council
VOTE
Approving the Filing of Special Legislation which will authorize the City of Lowell to make certain changes to the current practice of the negotiation and purchase of insurance policy and/or policies for Employees. Retirees, and Dependents.
WHEREAS, the City of Lowell, acting through its City Council, seeks to modify its current practice of negotiating and purchasing insurance policy and/or policies,including but not limited to, the execution. implementation and application of any insurance agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lowell seeks authorization to alter current and future plan design features as well as the option to participate and/or join the Group Insurance Commission (“OIC”) pursuant to G.1.. c. 32A.
WHEREAS, such negotiation and purchase of insurance policies, or alteration of plan design features, shall not be subject to collective bargaining under chapter 150E.
WHEREAS, this Act shall not affect obligations under any collective bargaining
agreement while such agreements are in effect; and
WHEREAS, the Lowell Delegation has pledged their support and endorsement
for a Home Rule Petition regarding modifications to G.L. chapter 32B.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT VOTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOWELL, as follows:
That the City Council of the City of Lowell, by a majority vote, hereby authorizes
and approves the filing of special legislation to read as follows:
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF LOWELL.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives In General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1.
Not withstanding the provisions of chapter 328 and chapter 150E of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the City of Lowell is authorized to negotiate and purchase group insurance policies for Employees, Retirees and Dependents without being subject to collective bargaining as defined in chapter 150£ of the general laws.
SECTION 2.
Further, the City of Lowell is also authorized to alter current and future plan design features, and that such action shall not be subject to collective bargaining as defined in chapter 150£ of the general laws.
SECTION 3.
Further, the City of Lowell is also authorized, but not mandated to participate in, arid/or join the Group Insurance Commission (” o le”) pursuant to G.L. c. 32A, and such action shall not be subject to collective bargaining as defined in chapter 150E of the general laws.
SECTION 4.
The provisions of this act shall not affect obligations under any collective bargaining
agrecment(s) , while such agreements are in effect.
SECTION 5.
This act shall take effect upon its passage.
