Massachusetts Wage, Paid Sick Leave Ballot Measures Pass Hurdle; Bills in Play

Two Massachusetts ballot initiatives, to raise the minimum wage and require employers to offer earned sick leave, are under official consideration after a coalition of labor, religious and community groups delivered more than the required signatures by Dec. 4.

And in the midst of the groups’ signature drive, the Massachusetts Senate passed a minimum wage bill (S. 878) Nov. 19 by a 32-7 vote. The bill would raise the minimum wage to $11 per hour, which would be the highest state minimum wage in the nation.

The measure would also increase the wages for tipped workers to ...