Office of Employee Relations - Boston, MA

Office of Employee Relations (OER)

The Office of Employee Relations (OER) is a specialized unit within the Human Resources Division (HRD) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Located in the John W. McCormack Building at 1 Ashburton Place in Boston, Massachusetts, the OER is responsible for managing labor relations for the Executive Branch of state government. This office acts as the Governor's representative in collective bargaining negotiations with public employee unions, ensuring that agreements are fair, fiscally responsible, and conducive to the effective operation of state agencies.

Core Responsibilities

The primary function of the Office of Employee Relations is to foster productive relationships between the state as an employer and its workforce. Key activities include:

• Collective Bargaining: Negotiating contracts regarding wages, hours, and working conditions with unions representing state employees.
• Grievance Resolution: Managing the dispute resolution process, including representing the Commonwealth in arbitration hearings.
• Contract Administration: Interpreting and enforcing the terms of collective bargaining agreements to ensure consistent application across all departments.
• Advisory Services: Providing guidance to agency heads and human resources directors on labor law compliance and employee relations strategies.

Location and Visiting

The OER is situated on the 10th floor of the McCormack Building (Room 1002), directly across from the Massachusetts State House. Access to the building is restricted and requires passing through security screening, which includes metal detectors and bag inspections. Visitors must present a valid government-issued photo ID at the security desk. As an administrative office focused on government-to-government and government-to-union relations, it does not typically offer walk-in services for the general public. State employees or union representatives visiting the office should schedule appointments in advance.