New Bedford reaches agreement with municipal union

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — The City of New Bedford and the union representing its municipal employees have negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement.

The contract with AFSCME Local 851 will cost $4.2 million over the it’s three-year term and will apply to 364 positions across city government.

It includes a general pay increase for employees, as well as significant compensation to dispatchers due to staffing shortages and a number of reimbursements and stipends for all employees.

Union membership ratified the agreement earlier this week, and Mayor Jon Mitchell submitted a funding request with the City Council to cover an estimated $92,000 for this fiscal year.

“I wish to thank the city’s and the Union’s negotiating teams and their work to secure an agreement that fairly compensates our hard-working municipal employees while protecting the interests of taxpayers,” Mitchell said. “The agreement will help the city address staffing shortages, especially among our emergency dispatchers, who have had to work long hours to maintain a reliable level of service.”