Boston Council Hears $1.85 Million in Union Wage Supplementals, Advances No Vote

BOSTON — March 19, 2024 — Boston's Ways and Means Committee hears $1.85 million in supplemental appropriations to fund three new city union contracts. Chair Brian Worrell convened the March 19 hearing on six dockets covering collective bargaining agreements with AFSCME Council 93 ($1,203,751), SEIU Local 888 ($647,254), and New York Typographical Union CWA Local 14156 ($2,945), all running through June 30, 2027. Budget Director James Williamson told the committee the city's collective bargaining reserve, which began fiscal year 2024 at $76.2 million, would fall to $29.4 million if the appropriations are approved. Director of Labor Relations Renee Bushi said the contracts introduce a first-of-its-kind blended model — a 2 percent annual base raise plus flat dollar amounts — designed so that 71 percent of AFSCME members and 66 percent of SEIU members receive an effective raise of 3 percent or higher. Council Member Edward M. Flynn repeatedly challenged whether a 3 percent raise on a starting salary of $39,901 is sufficient for low-wage workers to afford Boston, a concern echoed by Council Members Erin J. Murphy, Julia M. Mejia, and Gabriela Coletta Zapata; no formal votes were taken and the dockets remain pending.