Easthampton health insurance proposal continued, mayoral withdrawal likely.
City Council - Rules & Government Relations Committee · Meeting of March 24, 2026
EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Rules and Government Relations Committee voted unanimously to continue a mayoral request to modify health insurance bargaining procedures. Chair James "JP" Kwiecinski's panel heard union representatives and city employees testify that the proposed adoption of MGL Chapter 32B Sections 21-23 would strip bargaining rights and that Mayor Salem Derby had not consulted with the Insurance Advisor Committee or unions before making the request. Derby acknowledged the urgency had diminished once he better understood the proposal and committed to meeting with the IAC and union representatives on March 26, 2026.
The committee set a continuation hearing for April 2, 2026.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 322 words
Source: the City Council - Rules & Government Relations Committee meeting of March 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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