Steward Cheat Sheet — Massachusetts Labor Rights & Filing Quick Reference

Audience: SEIU Local 509 stewards, grievance coordinators, members navigating workplace claims. Scope: MA public-sector employees (DDS focus). Where federal also applies, both rows shown. Status: Reference only. Always verify deadlines against the cited source page (sub-XX-*.md) before relying on a date — agencies update procedures.

CRITICAL NOTE: filing deadlines are non-negotiable. Missing a deadline almost always forfeits the claim. When in doubt, file something timely (you can amend later) and consult a labor attorney.

1 — Issue → Agency decision tree

Member's situation	Primary agency	Federal counterpart	First file file
Employer interfered with union activity, retaliated for protected activity, refused to bargain, made unilateral change	MA DLR (c. 150E)	NLRB (private sector only)	`sub-01-dlr-ulp-procedures.md`
Discrimination, harassment, denied accommodation (disability, pregnancy, religion, race, sex, age)	MA MCAD (c. 151B)	EEOC — auto-dual-filed	`sub-02-mcad-file-complaint.md`
Civil-service discipline, bypass, promotion, layoff, classification	MA CSC (c. 31)	—	`sub-06-csc-appeals-process.md`
Unpaid wages, late pay, overtime, missing differentials, sick-time violation	MA AGO Fair Labor	DOL WHD (federal floor)	`sub-03-ago-file-workplace-complaint.md`
Unsafe working conditions in a public-sector workplace	MA DLS WSHP	OSHA (private sector)	`sub-04-dls-wshp-main.md`
Workplace injury, modified-duty dispute, IME conflict	MA DIA (c. 152)	—	`05-ma-dia.md`
Retaliation for raising safety concern (public sector)	MA DLS Whistleblower Program	OSHA (cross-statute)	`sub-04-dls-wshp-main.md`
Conflict of interest, gifts, post-employment restriction	MA State Ethics	—	`07-ma-ethics.md`
Need PFML/FMLA leave; denied or retaliated for taking it	DFML / PFML	FMLA (federal)	`sub-dfml-pfml-overview.md`

2 — Filing deadlines at a glance

Deadlines run from the last act complained of (continuing-violation doctrine sometimes extends).

Claim	Deadline	Source
MA DLR prohibited-practice charge (c. 150E)	6 months from date of knowledge — "good cause" extension possible	`sub-01-dlr-ulp-procedures.md:103`
MA DLR — union-membership-discharge ULP (c. 150A § 6A)	15 days after notice	`sub-01-dlr-ulp-procedures.md:105`
MA DLR — appeal Hearing Officer dismissal to CERB	10 days from receipt	`sub-01-dlr-ulp-procedures.md:262`
MA DLR — judicial review (Appeals Court)	30 days from CERB decision	`sub-01-dlr-ulp-procedures.md:619`
MA MCAD complaint of discrimination (c. 151B)	300 days from last discriminatory act	`sub-02-mcad-deadline.md:55`
MCAD — CBA-grievance tolling exception	300 days from when employee knew/should have known the grieved matter supported a discrimination claim	`sub-02-mcad-deadline.md:63`
MCAD — appeal lack-of-probable-cause finding	10 days from receipt	`sub-02-mcad-case-process.md:89`
EEOC charge — basic	180 days	`sub-08-eeoc-how-to-file.md:34`
EEOC charge — extended where state law prohibits same conduct (MA does → 151B)	300 days	`sub-08-eeoc-how-to-file.md:34`
EEOC — federal sector (federal employees) — contact EEO Counselor	45 days	`sub-08-eeoc-federal-sector.md:37`
EEOC — federal sector formal complaint after counselor notice	15 days	`sub-08-eeoc-federal-sector.md:41`
EEOC — federal-sector hearing request	30 days	`sub-08-eeoc-federal-sector.md:57`
EEOC — federal-sector lawsuit	90 days after final order	`sub-08-eeoc-federal-sector.md:82`
MA CSC — pre-hearing scheduled within	60 days of CSC receiving appeal	`sub-06-csc-appeals-process.md:36`

3 — Per-agency quick reference

3.1 — MA Department of Labor Relations (DLR) — c. 150E ULPs

Most important agency for 509dds. Public-sector ULPs.

Field	Value
Use for	Prohibited practices: interference, retaliation, refusal to bargain, unilateral changes, discrimination for union activity
Statute	M.G.L. c. 150E § 10
Deadline	6 months from knowledge (`sub-01-dlr-ulp-procedures.md:103`)
Form	"Charge of prohibited practice" (DLR Charge form)
File via	Email: efile.dlr@mass.gov (`01-ma-dlr.md:38`)
Boston phone	(617) 626-7132 (`01-ma-dlr.md:48`)
Worcester phone	(508) 762-3374 (`01-ma-dlr.md:52`)
Boston address	Lafayette City Center, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston MA 02111-1750 (`01-ma-dlr.md:66`)
Worcester address	Mercantile Center, 100 Front Street Suite 310, Worcester MA 01608 (`01-ma-dlr.md:88`)
Public help	"Officer of the Day" — Thursdays 1–5pm (no legal advice) (`sub-01-dlr-ulp-procedures.md:87`)
Case timing	Level I (urgent): investigated 14–45 days. Level II: 30–90 days (`sub-01-dlr-ulp-procedures.md:151`)
Mediation	Mandatory for Level I cases (`sub-01-dlr-ulp-procedures.md:339`)

What counts as a prohibited practice — see sub-01-dlr-prohibited-practices.md (141 KB; case-by-case analysis with case citations).

3.2 — MA Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) — c. 151B

Discrimination, accommodation, retaliation. Auto-dual-filed with EEOC.

Field	Value
Use for	Discrimination based on disability, pregnancy, religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, etc.; failure-to-accommodate; retaliation for protected activity
Statute	M.G.L. c. 151B
Deadline	300 days from last discriminatory act (`sub-02-mcad-deadline.md:55`)
Tolling for CBA grievants	If pursuing a CBA grievance, 300 days runs from when employee knew/should have known grieved matter supported discrimination claim (`sub-02-mcad-deadline.md:63`)
Form	Complaint of Discrimination (online or mail-in PDF)
File via	Online intake portal at mass.gov/mcad-complaints-of-discrimination
Boston phone	(617) 994-6000 (`02-ma-mcad.md:95`)
Worcester phone	(508) 453-9630 (`02-ma-mcad.md:99`)
TTY	(617) 994-6196
Email	mcad@mass.gov (`02-ma-mcad.md:91`)
Boston address	One Ashburton Place, Suite 601, Boston MA 02108 (`02-ma-mcad.md:113`)
Conciliation	Mandatory after probable-cause finding (`sub-02-mcad-case-process.md:101`)
Process steps	File → Position Statement → Investigative Conference → Probable-Cause finding → Conciliation → (if no settle) Public Hearing

3.3 — MA AG Fair Labor Division — wages, earned sick time

Wage Act, overtime, sick time, child labor, wage theft.

Field	Value
Use for	Unpaid wages, late pay, missing overtime, unpaid vacation payout, earned sick time violations, child labor, wage theft
Statute	M.G.L. c. 149 §§ 148, 148C, 150; c. 151
Deadline (civil suit)	3 years (`00-ma-labor-law-reference.md` §3)
Damages	Mandatory triple damages, costs, attorney's fees for c. 149 § 148 violations (statute)
Form	Online wage complaint form
File via	mass.gov/how-to/file-a-workplace-complaint (online)
Hotline	(617) 727-3465, Mon–Fri 10am–4pm (`sub-03-ago-file-workplace-complaint.md:41`)
AGO main	(617) 727-2200
Anonymous filing	Allowed (`sub-03-ago-file-workplace-complaint.md:97`)
Note	Files an administrative complaint; if AGO declines, member may receive a Right-to-Sue letter and pursue private action

3.4 — MA Department of Labor Standards (DLS) — public-sector safety

MA's OSHA equivalent for public employees.

Field	Value
Use for	Public-sector workplace hazards, unsafe conditions, retaliation for safety reporting
Authority	MA Public Sector OSHA State Plan
Form	Public-sector workplace complaint (online)
File via	mass.gov/forms/public-sector-workplace-complaint-submission
Phone	(508) 616-0461 ext. 1 (`sub-04-dls-wshp-main.md:30`)
Email	safepublicworkplacemailbox@mass.gov
DLS general	(617) 626-6975 (`04-ma-dls.md:71`)
DLS email	DLS.feedback@mass.gov
Address	100 Cambridge Street Suite 500, Boston MA 02114 (`04-ma-dls.md:77`)
Whistleblower	DLS administers public-sector whistleblower program — separate intake (`sub-04-dls-wshp-main.md:38`); per program docs, 30 days from adverse action to file retaliation complaint
Note	For private-sector safety, file with federal OSHA instead

3.5 — MA Civil Service Commission (CSC) — c. 31 appeals

Disciplinary, bypass, promotion, layoff, classification appeals — for civil-service-covered employees.

Field	Value
Use for	Discipline (suspension, demotion, termination), bypass, promotion, layoff, classification, exam appeals
Statute	M.G.L. c. 31
Filing deadline	Type-specific (e.g., 10 days for some discipline appeals — see CSC site for the specific appeal type)
Form	Filed online via "File an appeal with the Civil Service Commission"
Phone	(617) 979-1900 (`06-ma-csc.md:56`)
Email	cschelp@mass.gov (`06-ma-csc.md:52`)
Address	100 Cambridge Street Suite 200, Boston MA 02114 (`06-ma-csc.md:68`)
Pre-hearing	Scheduled within 60 days of receipt (`sub-06-csc-appeals-process.md:36`)
Full hearing	45–90 days after pre-hearing; locations: Boston (Saltonstall Bldg), Springfield, Lowell, North Dartmouth (`sub-06-csc-appeals-process.md:68`)
Reconsideration	10 days from order (`sub-06-csc-appeals-process.md:163`)
Judicial review	30 days, Superior Court (`sub-06-csc-appeals-process.md:165`)
Self-rep guide	`sub-06-csc-self-represented-guide.md` (42 KB; step-by-step appellant walkthrough)
Note	Hearing recording emailed to parties within 2–3 days (`sub-06-csc-appeals-process.md:144`)

3.6 — MA Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) — workers' comp

Workplace injuries, return-to-work, modified-duty disputes.

Field	Value
Use for	Workplace injury claims, IME disputes, modified-duty conflicts, retaliation for filing claim
Statute	M.G.L. c. 152
Boston main	(617) 727-4900 (`05-ma-dia.md:155`)
Email	Info2@mass.gov
Boston address	Lafayette City Center, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston MA 02111-1750 (`05-ma-dia.md:161`)
Other offices	Fall River (508) 676-3406; Lawrence (978) 683-6420; Springfield (413) 784-1133 (relocating to 1441 Main St); Worcester (508) 753-2072
Note	Coordinates with ADA accommodation, PFML, and FMLA — confirm which framework applies before advising

3.7 — MA State Ethics Commission

Conflict of interest, gifts, public-employee restrictions.

Field	Value
Use for	Public-employee conflict-of-interest law, gifts, post-employment restrictions, financial-disclosure issues
Phone	(617) 371-9500 (`07-ma-ethics.md:64`)
Legal Division	(617) 723-5851
Enforcement Division	(617) 723-4086
Address	1 Ashburton Place, 6th floor, Room 619, Boston MA 02108 (`07-ma-ethics.md:80`)
Note	Less common in steward work — typically advisory; complaints require evidence of c. 268A violation

3.8 — EEOC (federal)

Federal counterpart to MCAD. Auto-dual-filed.

Field	Value
Use for	Federal Title VII, ADA, GINA, ADEA, EPA claims
Deadline (private/state/local)	180 days base; 300 days in MA (because c. 151B covers same conduct) (`sub-08-eeoc-how-to-file.md:34`)
Federal sector	Different process: 45-day counselor contact, 15-day formal complaint (`sub-08-eeoc-federal-sector.md`)
File via	EEOC Public Portal: publicportal.eeoc.gov
Phone	1-800-669-4000
Note	Filing with MCAD auto-dual-files with EEOC — don't file twice (`08-eeoc.md`)
After filing	See `sub-08-eeoc-after-you-file.md` for investigation/mediation/right-to-sue flow

3.9 — DOL Wage and Hour Division (federal)

Federal floor — FLSA, FMLA, MSPA, child labor.

Field	Value
Use for	Federal minimum wage, overtime, FMLA leave/retaliation, child labor (where federal applies stronger than state)
Phone	1-866-487-9243 (1-866-4-USWAGE)
File via	dol.gov/agencies/whd/contact/complaints
Note	For wage claims in MA, the state Wage Act's triple damages usually exceed federal recovery — file with AGO Fair Labor first unless federal-only issue

3.10 — OSHA (federal)

Private-sector safety + cross-statute whistleblower.

Field	Value
Use for	Private-sector workplace safety; whistleblower retaliation under 25+ federal statutes (Sarbanes-Oxley, AIR21, ERA, FRSA, etc.) — works for public-sector too in some statutes
Safety deadline	<6 months from incident (`10-osha.md:15`)
Whistleblower deadline	30–180 days depending on statute (`10-osha.md:17`)
File via	osha.gov/workers/file_complaint.html or whistleblowers.gov
Phone	800-321-6742
Anonymous safety complaint	Allowed (`10-osha.md:15`)

3.11 — NLRB (federal private-sector)

c. 150E covers state public-sector, but NLRB precedent often persuasive at DLR.

Field	Value
Use for	Private-sector ULP — usually NOT applicable to MA state public employees
Deadline	6 months (NLRA § 10(b))
File via	Local Regional Office; e-file at apps.nlrb.gov/chargeandpetition (`sub-11-nlrb-filing.md`)
Decision timing	7–14 weeks (`sub-11-nlrb-investigate-charges.md:25`)
Anti-retaliation	Built-in protection for filing/participating (`sub-11-nlrb-investigate-charges.md:31`)
Useful precedent	NLRB case law on protected concerted activity, Weingarten rights, refusal to bargain — see `sub-11-nlrb-protected-concerted-activity.md`

3.12 — DFML / Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)

Field	Value
Use for	Paid leave for own serious health condition, family member care, bonding, military-family, domestic-violence-related
Statute	M.G.L. c. 175M
Max benefit	26 weeks combined per benefit year (medical 20 / family 12 / service-member 26) (`sub-dfml-pfml-overview.md:144`)
2026 weekly cap	$1,230.39 (`sub-dfml-pfml-overview.md:181`)
Notice to employer	Required first (`sub-dfml-pfml-overview.md:55`)
Apply	mass.gov/how-to/how-to-apply-for-paid-family-and-medical-leave-pfml
Phone	(617) 466-3950 (contributions/exemptions)
Job protection	Protected against pay change, benefit loss, retaliation (`sub-dfml-pfml-overview.md:55`)
Private-plan exemption	If employer has approved private plan, member must apply through it — applying to DFML directly will be denied (`sub-dfml-pfml-overview.md:86`)

4 — Cross-cutting reminders for stewards

4.1 — Weingarten rights (federal — applies to public-sector by analogy via DLR precedent)

Employee may request union representation at any investigatory interview that could reasonably lead to discipline
Employer must: grant, end the interview, or offer the choice to proceed without representation
Steward role: be present, observe, advise — NOT to answer for the employee
Trigger language: "If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined, terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I respectfully request that my union representative be present. Without representation, I respectfully decline to answer questions."
Source: 00-ma-labor-law-reference.md §15

4.2 — Loudermill rights (public-sector due process)

Public employees with a property interest in their job (most c. 31 civil-service positions, most CBAs with just-cause clauses) are entitled to: notice of charges, explanation of evidence, opportunity to respond — before serious discipline
Pre-disciplinary hearing is the steward's first major intervention point
Source: 00-ma-labor-law-reference.md §16

4.3 — Duty of fair representation

The union must represent bargaining-unit members fairly — without arbitrary, discriminatory, or bad-faith conduct
Document grievance-screening reasoning
Communicate decisions to advance/withdraw to the member in writing
Source: 00-ma-labor-law-reference.md §17

4.4 — Retaliation runs across every statute

Filing any of these protected activities triggers anti-retaliation protection:

DLR ULP charge (c. 150E)
MCAD complaint (c. 151B)
AGO wage complaint (c. 149)
DLS/OSHA safety complaint
PFML/FMLA leave request
Workers' comp claim (c. 152)
Whistleblower disclosure (c. 149 § 185)
NLRB charge participation
See 00-ma-labor-law-reference.md §14 for the cross-statute summary
Always tell the member: if anything adverse happens after they file, document it and tell you immediately — retaliation often becomes the strongest second claim

4.5 — Dual-filing reminders

MCAD filing automatically dual-files with EEOC when federal laws apply — do not file twice
DLR vs NLRB — public employees go to DLR; only file NLRB if the unit is private-sector or federal-government
AGO vs DOL WHD — MA Wage Act has stronger remedies (mandatory triple damages); file with AGO first for MA-employed members

4.6 — Past practice

Not codified, but extremely powerful in arbitration
Document the practice: how long, how many people, management knowledge
Used to: (a) prove a CBA term's meaning, (b) bind employer to status quo, (c) establish unilateral-change ULP basis at DLR
Source: 00-ma-labor-law-reference.md §18

4.7 — When to refer to an attorney

Member faces or has been terminated and grievance is at arbitration
MCAD/EEOC right-to-sue letter received (90-day clock starts immediately)
Personal-injury overlap with workers' comp
Whistleblower retaliation claim with multiple jurisdictional options
Any criminal-law overlap (member arrested at work, theft accusations)

5 — Steward intake checklist (use at first meeting)

6 — Phone tree quick-dial

Agency	Number
MA DLR (Boston)	(617) 626-7132
MA DLR (Worcester)	(508) 762-3374
MCAD (Boston)	(617) 994-6000
MCAD (Worcester)	(508) 453-9630
MA AGO Fair Labor Hotline	(617) 727-3465
MA DLS (general)	(617) 626-6975
MA DLS WSHP intake	(508) 616-0461 ext. 1
MA CSC	(617) 979-1900
MA DIA (Boston)	(617) 727-4900
MA State Ethics	(617) 371-9500
DFML (PFML contributions/exemptions)	(617) 466-3950
EEOC	1-800-669-4000
DOL WHD	1-866-487-9243
OSHA	800-321-6742
NLRB	1-844-762-6572

7 — Source files

Statute index: 00-ma-labor-law-reference.md
Topic-organized index: 00-INDEX.md
Agency landings (01- through 11-) — what each agency does
Filing/process subpages (sub-NN-*.md) — citable to the specific deadline or address row above

When in doubt, open the cited sub- file and search for the exact phrase from the cheat sheet — that's the authoritative source as of the scrape date.