The bill proposes amendments to Chapter 28-9.4 of the General Laws, which addresses "Municipal Employees’ Arbitration." The amendments include changes to the language concerning the rights of municipal employees to organize and bargain collectively. Specifically, the bill updates the terms under which employees can negotiate, replacing "salary, working conditions" with "wages, rates of pay," and "all other terms and conditions of employment." This change broadens the scope of what can be negotiated. The bill also introduces a method of arbitration for dispute resolution, acknowledging that municipal employees cannot strike and therefore need an alternative means to settle disputes.

Furthermore, the bill adds a new section, 28-9.4-12.1, which details the factors that an arbitration board must consider when making decisions. These factors include comparing wage rates and conditions of employment with similar jobs in the local area, cities or towns of comparable size, and considering the public interest and welfare. The bill also takes into account the unique aspects of employment, such as job hazards, qualifications, and the training and skills required. The bill is designed to be effective immediately upon passage, granting municipal employees enhanced rights to arbitration and providing arbitrators with a clear set of criteria to guide their decisions on negotiated matters, including financial issues.