Highway and Transfer Union Contract 2024-2027

During the summer of 2023, the Highway and Transfer employees exercised their right to organize.  Negotiations for the first contract were efficient and amicable, taking only three sessions.  The Select Board reviewed and approved the terms of the collective bargaining agreement on December 11, 2023.   Please find additional details below.  The cost items for the Collective Bargaining Agreement will be voted on by residents at the Town Meeting Ballot Session on March 12, 2024.

March 12, 2024 (Town Meeting Ballot Session)

Article **: Highway and Transfer Collective Bargaining Agreement

To see if the Town will vote to approve the cost items included in the Collective Bargaining Agreement reached between the Select Board and the Barrington Highway and Transfer Union AFSCME Council 93 which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level:
Fiscal Year        Estimated Increase
2024                 $32,280
2025                 $30,995
2026                 $31,865
and further to raise and appropriate $32,280 for the current fiscal year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing levels.  [Majority Vote Required].  Note: This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article **, the operating budget article.  This article is projected to add 2 cents/1,000 to the 2024 tax rate or $9 to the tax bill on a $425,000 property.
This article is/is not** recommended for approval by the Advisory Budget Committee 5-0.
This article is/is not** recommended for approval by the Select Board 5-0.

** (Highway and Transfer Union Memo)

Highway and Transfer Union Memo Regarding 2024-2027 Contract Negotiations **

December 11, 2023 (Select Board Meeting)

Video • Minutes

  1. Over the summer, the Public Employee Labor Relations Board (PELRB) conducted an election petitioned by AFSCME Council 93.  As a result of this election, a collective bargaining unit was formed comprising the full-time Highway Department employees and the part-time Transfer Station employees.
  2. On November 15, 2023, November 30, 2023, and December 7, 2023, the Town and the AFSCME Council 93 bargaining unit met to discuss a proposed contract. 
  3. The result of negotiations (Tentative Agreement) includes a three-year term (2024-2027) which establishes terms and conditions of employment largely consistent with current policies and procedures.  Changes included in the tentative agreement include:
    1. Solidifying a seasonal schedule of Monday through Thursday (6am-4pm) from the first Monday in June through Labor Day.
    2. Counting paid leave toward overtime from December 1st through March 31st.
    3. Expanding on-call to include Fridays during the seasonal schedule and holidays in the winter.  On-call during the weekends in the winter remains.
    4. Establishes uniform dress provided by the Town on a one-time basis and maintained by employees with a $750 annual stipend.
    5. Provides for step and cost of living increases at the same level provided to other non-union employees each year.
  4. See attached, Highway-Transfer Tentative Agreement 2024-2027 20231207
  5. The cost items of the proposed contract will be presented to voters at Town Meeting in 2024.  Those cost items are summarized below.
    1. Total
      1. $32,280 – 2024
      2. $30,995 – 2025
      3. $31,865 – 2026
    2. Wages
      1. $21,975* – 2024
      2. $22,745* – 2025
      3. $23,540* – 2026

                             *Depends on Town-wide annual wage adjustments for employees budgeted by Select Board.

  1. Paid Leave Counts Toward Overtime
    1. $2,100 – 2024
    2. $2,175 – 2025
    3. $2,250 – 2026
  2. Clothing Stipend
    1. $7,380 – 2024
    2. $5,250 – 2025
    3. $5,250 – 2026
  3. Expanded On-Call
    1. $825 – 2024
    2. $825 – 2025
    3. $825 – 2026
  4. The Select Board is asked to consider approving the Tentative Agreement for inclusion in the 2024 Warrant.
    1. Make a motion to approve the Tentative Agreement as presented and include the cost items in the 2024 Town Meeting Warrant.

November 15, 30, and December 7, 2023 - Collective Bargaining Negotiations

August 1, 2023 - PELRB

  1. On August 1, 2023 an election was held to determine representation for the certified collective bargaining unit.
    1. See attached, 26 Tally of Ballots 080123
    2. See attached, 25 Cert on Conduct of Election 080123

July 19, 2023 - PELRB

  1. On July 19, 2023 a pre-election conference was held to determine the election date and details.
    1. See attached, 5.1 Pre Election Conf. Report 7.19.23

July 6, 2023 - PELRB

  1. On July 6, 2023 the PELRB approved the proposed bargaining unit.
    1. See attached, 16 Order 2023-168 070623

June 16, 2023 - AFSCME Council 93

  1. On June 16, 2023 a representative from AFSCME Council 93 filed an amended Petition for Certification with updated information regarding the proposed bargaining unit.
    1. See attached, 12 Amended Petition 061623

May 22, 2023 - AFSCME Council 93

  1. On May 22, 2023 the representative from AFSCME Council 93 filed a Petition for Certification with the New Hampshire Public Employee Labor Relations Board (PELRB).