Finance Committee Recommends Union Contracts

The Finance Committee voted to recommend the City Council adopt two union contracts Monday night.

“They’ve been very reasonable in the things they have been talking about," said Mayor Arthur Vigeant as he discussed the fire fighters contract.  “We’re not looking to take advantage of them. We are looking for a fair day's work for a fair day's pay.”

The contracts with the DPW Marlborough Public Works Equipment Operators Association (MWPEOA) and Firefighters Local 1714 were both recommended to be adopted by the full council.

The MWPEOA contract will cost the city $52,725.22 for a contract that will cover 2013. The money is a one time stipend, rather than dealing with the calculations for retroactive pay, said the mayor. The contract itself does not have many changes, he said, and would go into effect retroactively to Jan. 1.

The Firefighters contract would cover three years and cost the city $111,570.94. The changes include cementing language for the 24 hour work shifts for the fire fighters, said Mayor Vigeant.

“Everyone’s agreed it’s working out fine. With the addition of some new officers and some fire fighters we are bringing down our ovcrtime as well," he said.

There remain three outstanding union contracts on the city side, said Mayor Vigeant who clarified that School District contract negotiations continue as well. The remaining contracts include the police command offices, city hall union and DPW foremen. The mayor expected to bring two contracts the next City Council meeting.