BOSTON (WHDH/AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill Monday morning that extends unemployment benefits for locked-out workers in Massachusetts.
National Grid workers who are amid a monthslong walkout were in favor of this legislation as the company and the Steelworkers union work on an agreement.
United Steelworkers member Joe Kirylo applauded Baker’s decision saying, “If you can get your message out, in the end, people are good and people will do the right thing. And today we see that the governor stood up and did the right thing.”
Baker says he urges “both National Grid and the Steelworkers union to swiftly reach consensus so that utility customers can receive the level of service and safety they deserve.”
The company and the union have recently been signaling a breakthrough might be in sight.
Both sides had hoped to end the six-month lockout by Dec. 28.
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