Patriots' Day is an official state holiday in Massachusetts, but its status as a "union holiday" is determined by individual collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) rather than a single, overarching rule. For public sector unions representing state, county, and municipal employees, it is universally recognized as a paid holiday because government offices are closed by state law. However, for private sector unions, its inclusion as a paid day off depends entirely on the terms negotiated between the union and the specific employer.
The distinction between public and private sector employment is critical to understanding this issue. In the public sector, government operations cease in observance of the state holiday, making it a non-negotiable paid day off for unionized government workers such as teachers, administrative staff, and public safety personnel. In the private sector, there is no legal mandate for employers to provide paid time off for state holidays. Therefore, whether unionized private-sector employees receive Patriots' Day as a paid holiday is a contractual matter. Some CBAs explicitly include state holidays, while many others, particularly those negotiated with national corporations, may adhere strictly to a list of federal holidays.
In practice, while Patriots' Day is a paid holiday for a large number of union members in Massachusetts, particularly those employed by the government, it is not guaranteed for all. The definitive answer for any specific worker lies within their union contract. An individual must consult their own CBA or contact their union representative to confirm if Patriots' Day is a recognized paid holiday under their agreement.
