By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a measure that would protect the confidentiality of all modes of communications between labor unions and their union members, except in the rare circumstances where disclosure appears necessary to prevent injury from a crime or when legal claims are brought in formal proceedings against unions.

“Workers need to know they can bring issues on the job to their union without fear of reprisal or retaliation,” said Lindsay Kenney, Legislative Director of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. “If workers don’t feel safe to disclose safety issues – they won’t disclose. If workers fear inquiring with a union about representation could get them fired – they won’t seek out union representation. “[The bill] would address that issue by establishing a legal privilege preventing labor organizations and workers from being compelled to disclose confidential communications made in the course of seeking or providing representation.”

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge), the sponsor of the bill, failed to respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her to comment on the passage of the proposal.