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Patrick vows to sign bill eliminating Evacuation Day, Bunker Hill Day holidays

E-mail|Link|Comments () June 2, 2010 11:11 AM

By Globe Staff

Governor Deval Patrick is promising to sign legislation eliminating the Suffolk County-only government holidays known as Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day – if it reaches his desk.

It's a "matter of fairness," the governor said in an appearance on the Jim and Margery show on WTKK-FM.

Survey Should the state eliminate the holidays?

The legislation passed last week as an amendment to the state Senate's budget. The Senate and House, which had already passed its version of the budget, will now work out a compromise to be sent to the governor's desk. It's not clear if the House will approve of the Senate proposal to eliminate the holidays.

Patrick noted that Senator Jack Hart, a supporter of the holidays, defends the holidays as commemorating historical events.

But he said, "There must be another way we can acknowledge the historical milestone without giving a special break to one small sector of the workforce."

The two paid holidays apply to city and state government workers in Suffolk County. An estimated 35,000 workers enjoy the days off, according to a rough tally compiled with the help of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau and the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

Evacuation Day is on March 17 (the same day as St. Patrick's Day), while Bunker Hill Day is on June 17.

The State House News Service reported that even if the law passes, the holidays are still included in state worker contracts. One supporter of the legislation said it might give management more leverage in trying to get rid of the holidays.