Session Laws

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. To provide for the costs of salary adjustments authorized by the provisions of sections three to seven, inclusive, of this act the sums set forth in section two are hereby appropriated, from the General Fund, subject to the provisions of law regulating the disbursement of public funds and the conditions pertaining to appropriations in chapter one hundred and thirty-three of the acts of nineteen hundred and ninety-two.

SECTION 2. `tm;keep=no `tcol=6,B4;c1=1,9,tu,T;c2=1,78,tuc;c3=1,78,tuc;c4=12,53,tfh1;c5=16,49,tu;c6=66,13,tur `tc3 EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE. `tc2 Collective Bargaining. `tch `tc1 `ts Item `t+1 `tch;end `tc1 1599-3720 `tc4 For a reserve to meet the cost of salary adjustments authorized by section three; and to meet the cost of salary adjustments necessary to provide equal salary adjustments to employees employed in "confidential" positions which would otherwise be covered by the collective bargaining agreements listed in section three; provided, however, that the personnel administrator, with the approval of the secretary of administration and finance, shall determine such salary adjustments for "confidential" employees in accordance with the provisions of section three; provided, further, that not more than sixteen million one hundred seventy-three thousand five hundred dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement between the Commonwealth and the Alliance, AFSCME/SEIU, AFL-CIO executed on December fifteenth, nineteen hundred and ninety; provided, further, that not more than four million sixty-three thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement between the Commonwealth and the National Association of Government Employees, Locals R1-283, R1-290, R1-291 and R1-292 (Unit One) executed on January second, nineteen hundred and ninety-one; provided, further, that not more than eight hundred and forty thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement between the Commonwealth and the National Association of Government Employees, Local R1-219 (Unit Three) executed on January second, nineteen hundred and ninety-one; provided, further, that not more than five million seven hundred ninety-two thousand and seven hundred dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement between the Commonwealth and the National Association of Government Employees, Local R1-207 (Unit Six) executed on January second, nineteen hundred and ninety-one; provided, further, that not more than two million nine hundred and eighty-one thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement between the Commonwealth and MOSES executed on January second, nineteen hundred and ninety-one; provided, further, that the secretary of administration and finance is authorized and directed to allocate the cost of such salary adjustments to the several state or other funds to which such items of appropriation are charged; provided, further, that copies of the collective bargaining agreements listed in section three, together with an analysis of such salary costs, shall be filed with the house and senate committees on ways and means prior to the transfer or allocation of any amounts necessary to meet the cost of said salary adjustments; provided, further, that no transfers shall be made from this item without prior notice provided to the house and senate committees on ways and means; and provided, further, that the provisions of section nine C of chapter twenty-nine of the General Laws shall not apply to this item `tc6 $29,850,200 `tc1 1599-3721 `tc4 For a reserve to meet the cost of salary adjustments authorized by section four; and to meet the cost of salary adjustments necessary to provide equal salary adjustments to employees employed in "confidential" positions which would otherwise be covered by the collective bargaining agreements listed in section four; provided, however, that the personnel administrator, with the approval of the secretary of administration and finance, shall determine such salary adjustments for "confidential" employees in accordance with the provisions of section four; provided, further, that not more than two million sixteen thousand and five hundred dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement executed December twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Massachusetts State College Association/MTA and the Board of Regents; provided, further, that not more than one million nine hundred and six thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding executed December twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Massachusetts Community College Council/MTA and the Board of Regents; provided, further, that not more than two million six hundred and thirty-eight thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the agreement executed December twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Massachusetts Society of Professors/Faculty Staff Union/MTA and the University of Massachusetts on behalf of the Board of Regents of Higher Education; provided, further, that not more than eight hundred twenty-one thousand and six hundred dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the agreement executed December twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Massachusetts Society of Professors/MTA and the University of Lowell; provided, further, that not more than five hundred and seven thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the agreement executed December twenty-second, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Southeastern Massachusetts University Faculty Federation, Local 1895, AFT, AFL-CIO and the Board of Regents; provided, further, that not more than four hundred and eight thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement executed December twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Association of Professional Administrators/MTA and the Board of Regents; provided, further, that not more than ninety-three thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the agreement executed August thirtieth, nineteen hundred and ninety-one between the Service Employees International Union, Local 254 Clerical Unit at the University of Lowell and the Board of Regents; provided, further, that not more than seventy thousand five hundred dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the agreement executed December twenty-second, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Educational Services Unit, Local 1895, AFT, AFL-CIO and the Board of Regents; provided, further, that not more than two million four hundred one thousand and three hundred dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the agreement executed January twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and ninety-one between the Coalition One, AFSCME, Locals 507, 1067, 1776, 2616, AFL-CIO, S.E.I.U. Local 285, AFL-CIO, and I.B.E.W. Local 103, AFL-CIO and the Board of Regents; provided, further, that not more than thirty-seven thousand three hundred dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the agreement executed September twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and eighty-seven between the Coalition Two, I.B.P.O. Locals 372, 399 and 631 and the Board of Regents; provided, further, that not more than one hundred and thirty-nine thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the agreement executed December tenth, nineteen hundred and eighty-six between the Coalition Three, N.A.G.E. Locals R1-233 and R1-245 and Southeastern Massachusetts University, Board of Regents; provided, further, that not more than thirty-one thousand seven hundred dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the agreement executed September twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and eighty-seven between the Coalition Four, I.B.P.O. Locals 432 "A" and 432 "B" and the Board of Regents; provided, further, that not more than one hundred sixty-four thousand nine hundred dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the agreement executed December twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred and ninety between the SEIU Local 254 - Professional Administration Unit at the University of Lowell and the Board of Regents; provided, further, that not more than four hundred and twenty-one thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the agreement executed January twenty-fifth, nineteen hundred and ninety-one between the University Staff Association/MTA and the Board of Regents; provided, further, that not more than ten thousand one hundred and fifty dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding executed December twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred and ninety between the UMASS Boston Patrolmen's Association and the Board of Regents; provided, further, that the secretary of administration and finance is hereby authorized and directed to allocate the cost of such salary adjustments to the several state or other funds to which such items of appropriation are charged; provided, further, that copies of the collective bargaining agreements listed in section four, together with analysis of such salary costs, shall be filed with the house and senate committees on ways and means prior to the transfer or allocation of any amounts necessary to meet the cost of said salary adjustments; provided, further, that no transfers shall be made from this item without prior notice provided to the house and senate committees on ways and means; and provided, further, that the provisions of section nine C of chapter twenty-nine of the General Laws shall not apply to this item `tc6 $11,665,950 `tc1 1599-3722 `tc4 For a reserve to meet the cost of salary adjustments authorized by section five; and to meet the cost of salary adjustments necessary to provide equal salary adjustments to employees employed in "confidential" positions which would otherwise be covered by the collective bargaining agreement and the reopener agreement listed in section five; provided, however, that the personnel administrator, with the approval of the secretary of administration and finance, shall determine such salary adjustments for "confidential" employees in accordance with the provisions of section five; provided, further, that not more than five hundred sixty-five thousand and one hundred dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the wage reopener agreement negotiated pursuant to Article 31, Section 31.1 of the collective bargaining agreement dated July first, nineteen hundred and ninety-one between the board of trustees of the University of Massachusetts, in their capacity as the successors to the board of regents, and the Professional Staff Union, Local 509 Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO/CLC; provided, further, that the secretary of administration and finance is hereby authorized and directed to allocate the cost of such salary adjustments to the several state or other funds to which such items of appropriation are charged; provided, further, that copies of the collective bargaining agreement and reopener agreement listed in section five, together with an analysis of such salary costs, shall be filed with the house and senate committees on ways and means prior to the transfer or allocation of any amounts necessary to meet the cost of said salary adjustments; provided, further, that no transfers shall be made from this item without prior notice provided to the house and senate committees on ways and means; and provided, further, that the provisions of section nine C of chapter twenty-nine of the General Laws shall not apply to this item `tc6 $565,100 `tc1 1599-3723 `tc4 For a reserve to meet the cost of salary adjustments authorized by section six; and to meet the cost of salary adjustments necessary to provide equal salary adjustments to employees employed in "confidential" positions which would otherwise be covered by the collective bargaining agreements listed in section six; provided, however, that the personnel administrator, with the approval of the secretary of administration and finance, shall determine such salary adjustments for "confidential" employees in accordance with the provisions of section six; provided, further, that not more than one million six hundred eight thousand three hundred dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement between the Chief Administrative Justice of the Trial Court and SEIU, Local 254 dated April twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred and ninety-one; provided, further, that not more than one million nine hundred sixty-two thousand and six hundred dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement between the Chief Administrative Justice of the Trial Court and OPEIU, Local 6 dated March thirteenth, nineteen hundred and ninety-one; provided, further, that not more than seventy-four thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement between the Chief Administrative Justice of the Trial Court and the Suffolk County Superior Court Officers Association dated February tenth, nineteen hundred and ninety-two; provided, further, that not more than fifty-seven thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement between the Chief Administrative Justice of the Trial Court and the Middlesex County Superior Court Officers Association dated September thirtieth, nineteen hundred and ninety-two; provided, further, that the secretary of administration and finance is hereby authorized and directed to allocate the cost of such salary adjustments to the several state or other funds to which such items of appropriation are charged; provided, further, that copies of the collective bargaining agreements listed in section six, together with analysis of such salary costs, shall be filed with the house and senate committees on ways and means prior to the transfer or allocation of any amounts necessary to meet the cost of said salary adjustments; provided, further, that no transfers shall be made from this item without prior notice provided to the house and senate committees on ways and means; and provided, further, that the provisions of section nine C of chapter twenty-nine of the General Laws shall not apply to this item `tc6 $3,701,900 `tc1 1599-3724 `tc4 For a reserve to meet the cost of salary adjustments authorized by section seven; and to meet the cost of salary adjustments necessary to provide equal salary adjustments to employees employed in "confidential" positions which would otherwise be covered by the collective bargaining agreement listed in section seven; provided, however, that the personnel administrator, with the approval of the secretary of administration and finance, shall determine such salary adjustments for "confidential" employees in accordance with the provisions of section seven; provided, further, that not more than four hundred and thirty-six thousand dollars shall be expended for salary adjustments pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement between the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission and Local 254, SEIU dated October twenty-second, nineteen hundred and ninety; provided, further, that the secretary of administration and finance is hereby authorized and directed to allocate the cost of such salary adjustments to the several state or other funds to which such items of appropriation are charged; provided, further, that copies of the collective bargaining agreement listed in section seven, together with an analysis of such salary costs, shall be filed with the house and senate committees on ways and means prior to the transfer or allocation of any amounts necessary to meet the cost of said salary adjustments; provided, further, that no transfers shall be made from this item without prior notice provided to the house and senate committees on ways and means; and provided, further, that the provisions of section nine C of chapter twenty-nine of the General Laws shall not apply to this item `tc6 $436,000 `tcol;end

SECTION 3. The salary of each employee covered by the terms of the collective bargaining agreements listed in this section shall, effective December twenty-first, nineteen hundred and ninety-two, be increased by six percent above the actual annual base salary being paid to such employee as of November twenty-ninth, nineteen hundred and ninety-two and shall, effective June twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three be increased by an additional amount, which in combination with said six percent, shall cause said employee to be paid, effective on said June twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three, a salary at the rate specified in the relevant agreement which would have been in effect as of January third, nineteen hundred and ninety-three in accordance with the provisions of such agreement. Any requirement that the employer shall submit to the general court a request for an appropriation necessary to fund cost items in a collective bargaining agreement shall not apply to the funding for salaries set forth in this act for the collective bargaining agreements listed in this section, notwithstanding the provisions of chapter one hundred and fifty E of the General Laws, including subsection (c) of section seven of said chapter one hundred and fifty E or any other general or special law or collective bargaining agreement to the contrary and any contractual requirement relative to allocation of appropriations which would interfere with or impede the payment of salaries provided for in this act for the collective bargaining agreements listed in this section shall not apply to the payment of such salaries, notwithstanding the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement to the contrary. The agreements subject to the provisions of this section are: a collective bargaining agreement between the Commonwealth and the Alliance, AFSCME/SEIU, AFL-CIO executed on December fifteenth, nineteen hundred and ninety; a collective bargaining agreement between the Commonwealth and the National Association of Government Employees, Locals R1-283, R1-290, R1-291 and R1-292 (Unit One) executed on January second, nineteen hundred and ninety-one; a collective bargaining agreement between the Commonwealth and the National Association of Government Employees, Local R1-219 (Unit Three) executed on January second, nineteen hundred and ninety-one; a collective bargaining agreement between the Commonwealth and the National Association of Government Employees, Local R1-207 (Unit Six) executed on January second, nineteen hundred and ninety-one; a Memorandum of Agreement between the Commonwealth and MOSES executed on January second, nineteen hundred and ninety-one.

SECTION 4. The salary of each employee covered by the terms of the collective bargaining agreements listed in this section shall, effective December twenty-first, nineteen hundred and ninety-two, be increased by six percent above the actual annual base salary being paid to such employee as of November twenty-ninth, nineteen hundred and ninety-two and shall effective June twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three be increased by an additional amount, which in combination with said six percent, shall cause said employee to be paid, effective on said June twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three, a salary at the rate specified in the relevant agreement which would have been in effect as of January third, nineteen hundred and ninety-three in accordance with the provisions of such agreement. Any requirement that the employer shall submit to the governor a request for an appropriation necessary to fund cost items in a collective bargaining agreement and any requirement that the governor recommend to the general court such an appropriation or that absent such recommendation the parties shall bargain further shall not apply to the funding for salaries set forth in this act for the collective bargaining agreements listed in this section, notwithstanding the provisions of chapter one hundred and fifty E of the General Laws, including subsection (c) of section seven of said chapter one hundred and fifty E or any other general or special law or collective bargaining agreement to the contrary and any contractual requirement relative to allocation of appropriations which would interfere with or impede the payment of salaries provided for in this act for the collective bargaining agreements listed in this section shall not apply to the payment of such salaries, notwithstanding the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement to the contrary. The agreements subject to the provisions of this section are: a Memorandum of Agreement executed December twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Massachusetts State College Association/MTA and the Board of Regents; a Memorandum of Understanding executed December twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Massachusetts Community College Council/MTA and the Board of Regents; an agreement executed December twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Massachusetts Society of Professors/Faculty Staff Union/MTA and the University of Massachusetts on behalf of the Board of Regents of Higher Education; an agreement executed December twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Massachusetts Society of Professors/MTA and the University of Lowell; an agreement executed December twenty-second, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Southeastern Massachusetts University Faculty Federation, Local 1895, AFT, AFL-CIO and the Board of Regents; a Memorandum of Agreement executed December twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Association of Professional Administrators/MTA and the Board of Regents; an agreement executed August thirtieth, nineteen hundred and ninety-one between the Service Employees International Union, Local 254 Clerical Unit at the University of Lowell and the Board of Regents; and an agreement executed December twenty-second, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Educational Services Unit, Local 1895, AFT, AFL-CIO and the Board of Regents; an agreement executed January twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and ninety-one between the Coalition One, AFSCME, Locals 507, 1067, 1776, 2616, AFL-CIO, S.E.I.U. Local 285, AFL-CIO, and I.B.E.W. Local 103, AFL-CIO and the Board of Regents; an agreement executed September twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and eighty-seven between the Coalition Two, I.B.P.O. Locals 372, 399 and 631 and the Board of Regents; an agreement executed December tenth, nineteen hundred and eighty-six between the Coalition Three, N.A.G.E. Locals R1-233 and R1-245 and Southeastern Massachusetts University, Board of Regents; an agreement executed September twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and eighty-seven between the Coalition Four, I.B.P.O. Locals 432 "A" and 432 "B" and the Board of Regents; an agreement executed December twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred and ninety between the SEIU Local 254 - Professional Administration Unit at the University of Lowell and the Board of Regents; an agreement executed January twenty-fifth, nineteen hundred and ninety-one between the University Staff Association/MTA and the Board of Regents; and a Memorandum of Understanding executed December twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred and ninety between the Umass Boston Patrolmen's Association and the Board of Regents.

SECTION 5. The salary of each employee covered by the terms of any wage reopener agreement negotiated pursuant to Article 31, Section 31.1 of the collective bargaining agreement dated July first, nineteen hundred and ninety-one between the board of trustees of the University of Massachusetts, in their capacity as the successors to the board of regents, and the Professional Staff Union, Local 509 Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO/CLC shall, effective December twenty-first, nineteen hundred and ninety-two, be increased by six percent above the actual annual base salary being paid to such employee as of November twenty-ninth, nineteen hundred and ninety-two and shall, effective June twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three be increased by an additional amount, which in combination with said six percent, shall cause said employee to be paid, effective on said June twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three, a salary at the rate specified in such reopener agreement which would have been in effect as of January third, nineteen hundred and ninety-three in accordance with the provisions of such reopener agreement. Any requirement that the employer shall submit to the governor a request for an appropriation necessary to fund cost items in a collective bargaining agreement and any requirement that the governor recommend to the general court such an appropriation or that absent such recommendation the parties shall bargain further shall not apply to the funding for salaries set forth in this act for the aforesaid collective bargaining reopener agreement, notwithstanding the provisions of chapter one hundred and fifty E of the General Laws, including subsection (c) of section seven of said chapter one hundred and fifty E or any other general or special law or collective bargaining agreement to the contrary and any contractual requirement relative to allocation of appropriations which would interfere with or impede the payment of salaries provided for in this act for the collective bargaining agreement listed in this section shall not apply to the payment of such salaries, notwithstanding the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement to the contrary.

SECTION 6. The salary of each employee covered by the terms of the collective bargaining agreements listed in this section shall, effective December twenty-first, nineteen hundred and ninety-two, be increased by six percent above the actual annual base salary being paid to such employee as of November twenty-ninth, nineteen hundred and ninety-two and shall, effective June twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three be increased by an additional amount, which in combination with said six percent, shall cause said employee to be paid, effective on said June twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three, a salary at the rate specified in the relevant agreement which would have been in effect as of January third, nineteen hundred and ninety-three in accordance with the provisions of such agreement. Any requirement that the employer shall submit to the governor a request for an appropriation necessary to fund cost items in a collective bargaining agreement and any requirement that the governor recommend to the general court such an appropriation or that absent such recommendation the parties shall bargain further shall not apply to the funding for salaries set forth in this act for the collective bargaining agreements listed in this section, notwithstanding the provisions of chapter one hundred and fifty E of the General Laws, including subsection (c) of section seven of said chapter one hundred and fifty E or any other general or special law or collective bargaining agreement to the contrary and any contractual requirement relative to allocation of appropriations which would interfere with or impede the payment of salaries provided for in this act for the collective bargaining agreements listed in this section shall not apply to the payment of such salaries, notwithstanding the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement to the contrary. The agreements subject to the provisions of this section are: a Memorandum of Agreement between the Chief Administrative Justice of the Trial Court and SEIU, Local 254 dated April twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred and ninety-one; a Memorandum of Agreement between the Chief Administrative Justice of the Trial Court and OPEIU, Local 6 dated March thirteenth, nineteen hundred and ninety-one; a Memorandum of Agreement between the Chief Administrative Justice of the Trial Court and the Suffolk County Superior Court Officers Association dated February tenth, nineteen hundred and ninety-two; and a Memorandum of Agreement between the Chief Administrative Justice of the Trial Court and the Middlesex County Superior Court Officers Association dated September thirtieth, nineteen hundred and ninety-two.

SECTION 7. The salary of each employee of the Massachusetts state lottery commission covered by the terms of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission and Local 254, SEIU dated October twenty-second, nineteen hundred and ninety shall, effective December twenty-first, nineteen hundred and ninety-two, be increased by six percent above the actual annual base salary being paid to such employee as of November twenty-ninth, nineteen hundred and ninety-two and shall effective June twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three be increased by an additional amount, which in combination with said six percent, shall cause said employee to be paid, effective on said June twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three, a salary which has been increased by the same percentage as the percentage increase paid to employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement between the Commonwealth and the Alliance AFSCME/SEIU, AFL-CIO as authorized in section three.

SECTION 8. The secretary of administration and finance is hereby authorized and directed to prepare, after consultation with the bargaining units whose employees are affected by the provisions of sections three to seven, inclusive, a study of retroactive salary adjustments and other cost benefits, including but not limited to training and career ladder programs, shift, weekend and holiday differentials, mileage and health and welfare funds for such employees for the period commencing July first, nineteen hundred and ninety or such other time specified in the collective bargaining agreements listed in sections three to seven, inclusive, and ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three. Said study may include a plan to provide for the payment of such retroactive salary adjustments and other cost benefits and said plan shall take into consideration the terms set forth in the agreements listed in sections three to seven, inclusive, the availability of sufficient revenues and the fiscal condition of the commonwealth. Said secretary shall report to the general court the results of said study, together with drafts of any plan or legislation necessary to implement said plan, by filing the same with the clerk of the house of representatives on or before June fifteenth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three. If no agreement can be reached by said secretary and said bargaining units and if the results of said study have not been filed by June fifteenth, nineteen hundred and ninety-three, the house and senate committees on ways and means may develop such a plan and any legislation necessary to implement the same. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to obligate the commonwealth to any retroactive salary adjustments or any other cost benefits.

SECTION 9. Employees covered by the terms of the collective bargaining agreements listed in sections three to seven, inclusive shall, subject to appropriation, continue to be paid salaries at the rates specified in this act until the parties to said collective bargaining agreements reach agreement or lawful impasse in negotiations for successor agreements. The negotiations for successor agreements shall be governed by the applicable provisions of chapter one hundred and fifty E of the General Laws.

SECTION 10. (a) Nothing contained in this act shall be deemed to obligate the commonwealth to any salary adjustments other than the amounts provided for in sections three to seven, inclusive.

(b) Nothing contained in this act shall be deemed to be the funding required to render the cost items set forth in the collective bargaining agreements listed in sections three to seven, inclusive, effective in accordance with the provisions of section seven of chapter one hundred and fifty E of the General Laws or any collective bargaining agreement.

SECTION 11. Any disputes related to the salary adjustments set forth in sections three to seven, inclusive, may be conducted in accordance with the terms of the grievance and arbitration procedure of the relevant collective bargaining agreement.

SECTION 12. The provisions of this act shall be deemed severable, and if any part of this act shall be deemed unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect the validity of any other part thereof.

SECTION 12A. Salary adjustments provided for by this act shall continue in full force and effect until changed by a subsequent act or by a collective bargaining agreement.

SECTION 12B. The provisions of this act affect a majority of state employees and therefore it shall be considered general legislation and not a special act.

SECTION 13. This act shall take effect upon its passage.