The Massachusetts AFL-CIO changed course on Wednesday and now says it supports a teacher evaluation bill that has been proposed as a way of avoiding a costly ballot question fight.

The legislation had been proposed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the group Stand for Children, which has gathered signatures to pull a question on the November ballot concerning teacher evaluations and seniority. Earlier, the AFL-CIO said it would oppose the bill. But on Wednesday it posted a statement on its website saying it had changed its mind.

Here is the statement:

The Massachusetts AFL-CIO will no longer oppose legislation proposed by Stand for Children and the Massachusetts Teachers Association should it come up for a vote. However, we remain opposed to the tactics utilized by Stand for Children that was the genesis for this bill. We believe that the far-reaching policy changes sought through the ballot question set a dangerous precedent for education policy making, the ballot referendum and legislative processes while failing to help students. We look forward to continuing our positive relationships with the in-state stakeholders and teaching professionals who truly care about the educational opportunities for students across the Commonwealth.”

The State House News reports that the Senate may act later this week on the bill, ahead of the House. State House News said it was unable to reached AFL-CIO President Steven Tolman.