MOSES Summer 2026 Update

Dear MOSES member,

 

Informational Updates on Issues Impacting MOSES

With General Membership Meetings on pause during the summer months, I wanted to provide members with an update on several important issues and developments impacting MOSES. The following updates are intended to keep members informed about current activities, ongoing discussions, and matters affecting our organization and membership.

New Leadership Roles at MOSES

I am pleased to announce several new leadership appointments within MOSES.

Jessica Leger, of the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab, has been appointed as MOSES Vice President. The MOSES Board of Directors unanimously voted to appoint Jessica to the vacant position following the retirement of Tom Prendergast. Jessica has served on the MOSES Board of Directors since 2017, including the past two terms as MOSES Treasurer. She brings extensive collective bargaining experience to her new role, having served as Co-Chair of the MOSES Commonwealth Collective Bargaining Committee. I look forward to working with Jessica as we continue to address the opportunities and challenges ahead.

I am also pleased to announce the Board of Directors’ unanimous vote to appoint Allen Bondeson, of MassDOT, as MOSES Treasurer. Allen has served on the MOSES Board of Directors for more than 20 years, including the past 18 years as MOSES Secretary. His experience and longstanding commitment to the organization make him exceptionally well suited for this new role.

Finally, I am pleased to announce the Board of Directors’ unanimous vote to appoint Paula Davison, of DCR, as MOSES Secretary. Paula has served on the MOSES Board of Directors for more than 6 years and has been a dedicated advocate for our membership. We look forward to her continued leadership in this new position.

Please join me in congratulating Jessica, Allen, and Paula on their new leadership roles and wishing them continued success as they serve the members of MOSES.

Special Meeting Held in June

At the Special Meeting held in June, the members in attendance unanimously voted to authorize the President and the Office Relocation Committee to engage with the owners of the fourth floor at 90 North Washington Street regarding the possible purchase of that floor. As a reminder, MOSES currently owns the third floor at 90 North Washington Street. Discussions regarding the potential acquisition of the fourth floor have now begun.

Commonwealth Unit 9, MassDOT Unit E, and MWRA Unit 9 Salary Increase & Contract Mailing Update

Effective the first full pay period in July 2026, members covered by the MOSES Commonwealth Unit 9, MassDOT Unit E, and MWRA Unit 9 collective bargaining agreements received a 2% salary increase.

• Commonwealth Unit 9 and MassDOT Unit E members: The increase will appear in your paycheck dated July 31, 2026.
• MWRA Unit 9 members: The increase should already be reflected in your paychecks, as the MWRA continues to operate on a weekly payroll schedule.

The next 2% salary increase under these agreements will take effect in January 2027.

 

Printed Contract Update

• Commonwealth Unit 9 and MassDOT Unit E Contracts: Printed copies have been mailed to members’ home addresses.
• MWRA Unit 9 Contract: Contract edits have been completed and are awaiting final approval from the MWRA. Once approved, printed copies will be mailed to members’ home addresses in a white 8½ x 11 envelope.

 

Looking Ahead

As a reminder, the Collective Bargaining Committees for all three bargaining units will begin preparations this Summer and Fall for negotiations on successor agreements. Formal collective bargaining may begin as early as January 2027. If a successor agreement is not reached by June 30, 2027, the current collective bargaining agreement will remain in full force and effect until a new agreement is negotiated, ratified, and implemented.

Telework Update / In Office Days

On July 17, 2026, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) notified MOSES of its intent to bargain over the number of telework days available to members employed within EEA and the required number of in-office workdays each week (or pay period).

On July 20, 2026, MOSES responded by requesting additional information regarding the criteria and rationale supporting any proposed increase in required in-office workdays. MOSES is currently awaiting EEA’s response and will keep affected members informed as additional information becomes available.

Potential Impacts of the Federal Budget and Funding Reductions at DPH

With the new federal fiscal year beginning in October, the potential impacts of changes in federal funding and budget priorities remain uncertain. MOSES is closely monitoring developments and will keep members informed as additional information becomes available.

As of mid-June, 10 MOSES members at the Department of Public Health (DPH) have been affected by funding reductions that resulted in the elimination of their positions. These members are currently proceeding through the layoff process outlined in Article 18 of the MOSES collective bargaining agreement. At this time, it is possible that additional members may be affected as the process continues. MOSES is actively monitoring the situation and will continue to advocate on behalf of all impacted members while providing updates as they become available.

Commonwealth Members Only: State Employee Hiring Freeze

For the most part, the Commonwealth’s hiring freeze remains in effect. During this period, Executive Department agencies are generally prohibited from making new hires, rehires, or approving transfers, except in limited circumstances. The hiring freeze was implemented in response to continued uncertainty surrounding state revenues and federal funding. MOSES will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

 

What’s Going On with the GIC?

Regarding GLP-1 medications, coverage for state employees will continue only when these medications are deemed medically necessary, such as for qualifying medical conditions. This change is intended to align GIC coverage more closely with that offered by many private health insurance plans. The Legislature had previously indicated that it would consider restoring funding for broader GLP-1 coverage through a supplemental budget. However, as time has passed, that outcome appears increasingly unlikely.

MOSES will continue to monitor developments with the GIC and keep members informed of any changes that may affect their health insurance benefits.

 

Civil Engineer Job Specification Update

In response to Governor’s Executive Order No. 627, which addresses education requirements in state hiring, MOSES has been working with the Commonwealth’s Human Resources Division (HRD) to update the job specifications for the entire Civil Engineer (CE) series. The current Civil Engineer job specifications were originally written and approved on May 1, 1989, and are long overdue for revision. Updating these specifications is an important step in ensuring they accurately reflect the knowledge, skills, and qualifications required of today’s engineering workforce while remaining consistent with the Governor’s Executive Order.

MOSES has participated in multiple meetings with HRD throughout this process and has submitted its final proposed revisions. We have been awaiting HRD’s response for several months and will provide members with an update as soon as additional information becomes available.

 

Health and Welfare Reimbursement (Dental, Optical, and Hearing Aid Claims)

The submission period for Dental, Optical, and Hearing Aid expenses incurred between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, closed on June 30, 2026. Claims submitted between July 1 and July 31, 2026, are subject to a 20% reduction in reimbursement due to late filing. Claims received after July 31, 2026 without a postmark will not be accepted. The MOSES Health and Welfare Trust typically meets in August or September to review and approve benefits for both the Open and Closed Plans for the upcoming benefit year. Benefit guides and reimbursement claim forms for the 2026 calendar year are expected to be mailed to members’ home addresses in late November.

 

Healthcare Mitigation Fund Reimbursement (Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses)

The maximum reimbursement available through the Healthcare Mitigation Fund has been increased to $750, up from the previous maximum of $500.

The claim submission period for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses incurred between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, will close on July 31, 2026. Claims received after July 31, 2026 without a postmark will not be accepted. The MOSES Health and Welfare Trust will review overall program utilization and evaluate reimbursement levels during the Spring of 2027 to determine whether any future changes to the program are warranted.

 

The Annual MOSES Memorial Scholarship Drawings

The 47th Annual MOSES Memorial Scholarship Awards will be held via Zoom Webinar in September 2026. Scholarship applications will be distributed to members in August.

This year’s awards include:

• Thirty-three (33) scholarships of $1,000 each in memory of deceased members of the MOSES Board of Directors and Stewards.
• Four (4) scholarships of $2,000 each honoring our deceased former MOSES Presidents and Vice President.

Eligibility Requirements

Scholarships are available to MOSES members (including active retirees), their spouses, and children, as well as the spouses and dependent children of MOSES members who passed away while employed by the Commonwealth. To be eligible, the applicant must have been accepted to and plan to attend an accredited higher education institution during the Fall 2026/Spring 2027 academic year, including eligible online enrollment programs.

Commonwealth Members Only: Training Trust Reimbursements

The MOSES Training Trust is currently awaiting the completion of a required report and related legal rulings before reimbursement requests for professional licenses and member higher education expenses can be processed. Once these matters have been resolved and reimbursements can resume, MOSES will notify the membership and provide additional information regarding the submission process. Remember to keep your receipts for submission when the fund becomes active.

 

Safeguarding MOSES Commonwealth and MassDOT Members Pension Funds

In late June, MOSES again joined several other public sector unions in opposing Section 104 of the Governor’s Mass Wins Act, which was tied to an economic development bill. The proposal would have authorized the use of up to $100 million from the state pension fund to support economic development grants. While MOSES supports investments that strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy, public employees’ retirement funds should not be used to finance these initiatives under the conditions outlined in the bill.

Following advocacy by MOSES, its coalition partners, and other labor organizations, Section 104 was ultimately removed from the legislation. This represents an important victory in protecting the retirement security of MOSES Commonwealth and MassDOT members.

Next General Membership Meeting

Our next General Membership Meeting will be held on September 8, 2026, at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel in Springfield, Massachusetts. Additional details regarding the meeting will be provided as they become available.

 

Patrick

July 24, 2026