House and Senate employees received raises of 6 percent this month and one-time stipends of $500 to defray the cost of working from home over the last year as employees have become increasingly vocal about the challenge of supporting themselves in Greater Boston on a legislative staff salary.
The group Beacon B.L.O.C. on Monday released the results of the survey it publicized in early May that found just about 10 percent of legislative staffers felt they were fairly paid for the hours and responsibilities that come with the job.
Speaker Ron Mariano said House employees went “above and beyond” over the past year and thanked them for the “commitment and their service,” while Senate President Karen Spilka said the Senate “has always valued feedback from its employees and will continue to look for ways to improve the work environment and compensation for staff.”
The survey was based on responses from what Beacon B.L.O.C, a coalition of Black staffers and allies, described as 210 anonymous staffers, or about a quarter of State House workforce. It was unclear based on the survey whether the respondents worked in the House or Senate, which operate separate human resources departments.
Staffers in both branches got identical 6 percent cost-of-living adjustments in their paychecks this month, plus the $500 stipend, according to Mariano and Spilka’s office. Raises are typically handed out every two years. The Senate has also expanded its parental leave program from eight to 16 weeks of full pay for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child.
“As Senate President, I will never stop working to make the Massachusetts State Senate a safe, inclusive and responsive workplace where our employees are valued and appreciated,” Spilka said in a statement.
Mariano said the House recently updated its human resources operation, including new rules and the establishment of an employee engagement officer position to work with employees on ways to improve the professional environment of the House.
“The House is committed to fostering an open and inclusive environment for all employees, and we are open to suggestions on how we can improve our efforts,” Mariano said.
