SECTION 1. Chapter 150E of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out 9A, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following:-

Section 9A. (a) No public employee or employee organization shall engage in a strike, work stoppage, slowdown or withholding of services by such public employees, or to condone or encourage the same, except as otherwise provided in section (b) below.

(b) Whenever a strike occurs or is about to occur, the employer may petition the department to make an investigation. The department shall first determine whether such strike, slow-down or withholding of services so complained of, has been caused in whole or in part by unfair labor practices committed by the employer, as such are set forth in section 10. If upon investigation the department concludes that such strike, slowdown or withholding of services by such public employees has been caused by the commission of unfair labor practices by the employer, the department shall set forth its findings of fact and decision relative thereto, and such employees shall be deemed to engage in lawful, concerted activity for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, free from interference, restraint or coercion.