Union Contracts Are Focus of Negotiations

Dispatchers in two Connecticut towns reported union contract actions, with some receiving additional positions and the other stalled in negotiations for over two years.

The two situations demonstrate the different issues that arise during contract talks, and how a compromise deal may not solve staffing shortages.

In New Milford (pop. 28,439), the dispatchers’ union has asked the state to intervene in negotiations that have been on-going since the previous contract expired on July 1, 2006.

The dispatchers are represented by Local 911 of the United Public Service Employees Union-Connecticut Organization for Public Safety Division (UPSEU-COPS). The union filed their request with the state Department of Labor asking for binding arbitration
Union head Ron Suraci the town’s nine full-time dispatchers haven’t received a raise during the three years since 2005.

“This is a small group of dedicated people who work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to provide emergency dispatch service to the people of New Milford,” Suraci said. “They handle all the calls for the fire department, the police department and the ambulance.”

Suraci said the major sticking points in the talks have been insurance coverage, wages and compensatory time off for dispatchers who work overtime. Dispatchers are paid $20.27 per hour under the current contract.

The dispatchers claim that town officials are stalling, and that arbitration proceedings will cost taxpayers more money than if the town meets their demands.

“Everything has gone up since (2006) except our salaries,” said Local 911 vice president Brian Powers. “We’ve been trying to work with the town, but one meeting after another was cancelled.”
Town mayor Pat Murphy gave part blame to the dispatchers for the stalemate because they changed unions after the last contract expired. She said there was no entity with which to negotiate for over a year.

She also said that separate auto accidents involving Suraci and Powers also delayed the negotiations. “For a year they were operating without a contract, then there were a couple of car accidents, and here we are,” Murphy said.

But dispatcher Frank Collida disputed that version of events. He said dispatchers were immediately ready to negotiate after they switched the union affiliation. “I don’t know how many times the meetings were postponed. It was aggravating,” he said.

After the union’s request for assistance, the state Board of Arbitration and Mediation will select a three-member panel to hear the contract dispute. The board will hear testimony from both sides, and ask both sides to submit briefs.

The state panel then has 30 days to discuss the case in executive session, then another 40 to 75 days to render a decision.
Suraci said the union is still open to talks with the town before the state hearings are held.

Contract Signed

In the city of Norwich (pop. 36,432), the dispatchers’ union signed a new contract that did not provide three additional positions, but which the union called a compromise on sufficient staffing.

“We’ve been working understaffed for a long, long time,” said union president Robert Jackson.
The center has eight dispatchers covering 24 hours, he said, making it nearly impossible to have two persons on-duty at all times. Jackson said it also makes it difficult to allow dispatchers time-off for vacation or an extra day off.

The dispatchers worked for one year without a contract while negotiations were in-progress.

Under the new contract, dispatchers will receive a three percent pay hike for 2007, and a four percent increase for years 2008 through 2010.

City officials said the increased pay for each year is calculated at $13,033, $16,007, $15, 196 and $15,280
Police chief Louis Fusaro had requested three additional dispatcher positions, but the city council eliminated that portion of the budget.

Alderman Jon Jacaruso was disappointed the personnel issues were not addressed. “But it is what it is,” he said.

Jackson acknowledged the shortage of funding, but said, “We will continue to fight to compete with other cities.”