Gov. Maura Healey’s administration is considering offering buyouts of up to $20,000 for state employees as a cost-saving measure, according to union officials, two weeks after the administration decided not to mark down their estimate for state tax collections and implement immediate budget cuts.
Local 509 SEIU, which represents 8,600 employees that fall under the executive branch, most of whom are human service workers, sent a memo to its members on Friday saying that the administration “has presented all state worker unions, including Local 509, with a proposal to reduce the number of full time employees across the Commonwealth.” The new of potential buyouts was first reported in The Boston Herald.
“The Commonwealth has proposed $10,000 for a voluntary resignation and $20,000 for retirement. Our understanding is that when these positions become vacant, they would not be backfilled and would be eliminated,” the memo says.
SEIU President David Foley said he and other union officials who represent the over 45,000 executive branch workers in Massachusetts were immediately concerned about the idea, especially since the Healey administration chose last month not to adjust its revenue estimate despite raising alarms that they can no longer reliably depend on federal revenues and reimbursements.
“I’d love the opportunity to ask them why their first approach is to cut the state workforce,” he said. “We’re very concerned about cuts to social services where most of the members that we represent work.”
Foley continued, “In all the agencies that we represent, we have had serious concerns for a very long time about workload. We’re seeing rising caseloads, almost across the board. So it’s very concerning that there’s an instinct to cut the state workforce. And our members know what that will mean — more workload.”
He said union leaders have talked to the administration about other options to make up for lost revenue, including tapping into the state’s $8 billion stabilization fund.
“It is important to note that this proposal is not an early retirement program, and it would not allow employees to qualify or access their pension at an earlier date,” the memo said. “The state would be offering a one-time lump sum payment to employees who choose to resign or retire. There are many outstanding questions that remain about this proposal, such as what positions and agencies would be eligible to enroll in this program and receive this incentive.”
SEIU 509 has not accepted the proposal, they say. Foley said he’s heard skepticism from members, though among their 8,600 members some might be interested in a buyout.
Asked about the buyouts, Healey spokesperson Karissa Hand did not explicitly confirm that the governor’s considering the option.
“Governor Healey has taken action to protect our budget in light of President Trump’s billions of dollars in cuts to Massachusetts, including implementing hiring controls,” Hand said. “While President Trump continues to hurt our economy, Governor Healey is considering additional steps to protect taxpayer dollars while continuing the high level of service that the people of Massachusetts deserve.”
