Executive Order  No. 632: Establishing a Labor Advisory Council

WHEREAS, working people are the foundation of the Massachusetts economy;

WHEREAS, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to ensuring our workers have the training, protections, and respect they deserve;

WHEREAS, workers in Massachusetts have the right to organize and bargain collectively on the terms and conditions of their employment;

WHEREAS, labor unions in Massachusetts represent and advocate for over 400,000 workers representing a wide range of occupations and sectors;

WHEREAS, organized labor plays a key role in addressing the state’s needs in a wide range of areas including housing, clean energy, workforce development, and infrastructure;

WHEREAS, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development supports Massachusetts jobseekers, workers, and employers by upholding the rights of workers and supporting a robust pipeline of skilled workers in all industries;

WHEREAS, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to working in partnership with organized labor to promote economic mobility, opportunity, and prosperity for all people in Massachusetts;

            NOW, THEREFORE, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, Part 2, c. 2, § I, Art. I, do hereby order as follows:

Section 1.  There is hereby established within the Office of the Governor a Labor Advisory Council, to advise the Governor on issues related to organized labor in Massachusetts.

Section 2.  The Council shall include at least one Chair, at least 15 members from the public and private sectors reflecting the breadth of organized labor in Massachusetts and representative of the geographic regions of the state, including individuals with expertise or experience with the building trades; energy; health care; local, state, and federal government; manufacturing; professionals; service and retail; transportation; and other areas of significance for the workforce of the state, as well as the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development or the Secretary’s designee, the Governor’s Labor Advisor, and other designees of the Governor.  Each member shall be appointed by the Governor, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, in an advisory capacity and without compensation, for a term of four years.  The Governor shall designate at least one Chair from the Council’s membership.

Section 3.  The Council shall meet periodically, as determined by the Chair or Co-Chairs.  The Chair or Co-Chairs may invite members of the Cabinet and other executive department agency employees who are not Council members to join Council meetings on topics related to the official’s responsibilities.

Section 4.  The Council shall review, discuss, and advise the Governor on issues relating to organized labor in Massachusetts, and make recommendations on such topics as may be identified by the Governor, the Chair or Co-Chairs, or the Governor’s Labor Advisor or other designee.  In developing its advice, the Council may engage with industry and business leaders, organized labor leaders who are not Council members, experts, and other members of the community.

Section 5.  The Chair or Co-Chairs may convene subcommittees as needed, which may be comprised of members of the Council and non-members with relevant expertise or experience.  All sub-committees shall be chaired by a member of the Council, as designated by the Chair or Co-Chairs.  Sub-committees shall meet from time to time, as scheduled by the Chair or Co-Chairs or the sub-committee chair.

Section 6.  This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall continue in effect until amended, superseded, or revoked by subsequent Executive Order.