Boston City Council approves $12.7 million in police labor contracts on roll call votes

BOSTON -- April 10, 2024, Boston City Council approves $12.7 million in police union contracts, referring a full budget docket to Ways and Means. The council voted on six dockets covering pay raises and discipline reforms for the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society and its Superior Officers Unit, as well as the OPEIU Local 6 agreement, reducing the city's collective bargaining reserve from roughly $76.2 million to $16.7 million ahead of the fiscal year 2025 budget season. Councilor Brian Worrell, chair of Ways and Means, recommended passage after a hearing featuring Budget Director Jim Williamson and Labor Relations Director Renee Bushy; most dockets passed 12-0, with Councilor Erin J. Murphy voting yes while flagging that the administration has not yet provided data on paid detail revenues she requested at the hearing. In a session that also recognized four BPS state championship sports teams, Councilor Julia M. Mejia voted present on one police docket over questions about central booking funding, Councilor Edward M. Flynn was the sole no vote on a resolution recognizing Eid al-Fitr, and a resolution by Flynn declaring speeding a public health emergency was referred to committee after Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata noted only the Boston Public Health Commission holds statutory authority for such a declaration.