Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Laconia council approves three-year contracts for teachers and public works employees
Summary
The Laconia City Council voted unanimously March 24 to approve three-year collective bargaining agreements with the Laconia Education Association and with Public Works AFSCME Local 534, covering multi-year pay and benefits changes and setting first-year budget impacts.
The Laconia City Council on March 24 approved two three-year collective bargaining agreements: one with the Laconia Education Association (LEA) and one with Public Works employees represented by AFSCME Local 534.
The LEA contract, presented to the council during new business, carries an anticipated first-year cost of $650,853 and covers a three-year term. Councilor John Phelps moved to approve the agreement and Councilor Hoffman seconded; the motion passed on a 6-0 voice vote.
The council also approved a three-year agreement with public works employees (AFSCME Local 534, Council 93) covering July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. City Manager Kirk Biotti told the council the first-year cost of that contract is $96,474.74 and that it includes an 11% insurance increase and a winter-maintenance stipend. Councilor Haynes moved approval and the motion passed 6-0.
Nut graf: Both contracts were considered in nonpublic sessions earlier the same evening as allowed under state law and were brought to the council for formal ratification; the agreements set the immediate fiscal obligations the city must carry into next fiscal year budgeting.
Councilors did not request extended discussion on either item when motions were offered. The LEA item was described as timed to meet state notice deadlines; the city manager noted that, under state law, the SAU must notify teachers by April 15 if they will be rehired for the next school year, which contributed to the timing of the vote. The public-record motions listed the three-year terms and the first-year cost impacts but did not include line-item salary schedules in the council packet.
Ending: The council recorded both votes as affirmative (6-0). The approved first-year cost amounts will be reflected in upcoming budget documents and in the city’s fiscal planning for 2025–26.
