Tentative agreement reached for Public Health Nurses Association; council approval to follow

City officials told the Finance Committee they reached a tentative four‑year contract with the Public Health Nurses Association and that the agreement must still be presented to the City Council for final approval.

Bill Mahoney, labor relations in the human resources office, said the agreement covers the period beginning July 1, 2024, and includes a $1‑per‑hour increase in the first year followed by 2% increases in years two, three and four. "In year 2, 3, and 4 is 2%, 2 %, 2 %." he said.

The nut graf: the contract adds language reflecting the city's military leave ordinance and expands management flexibility to use outside nurse agencies and part‑time non‑bargaining staff to address staffing shortages, a point Mahoney emphasized. He also said the city currently has no employees in that bargaining unit, and that the administration is contracting with Springfield Public Schools for overtime use of school nurses for some public‑health work.

Mahoney described the contract as favorable to the city and said his office will present the ratified agreement to council for authorization. "It's a good contract for the city," he said, and added the immediate financial impact is "not much," per his remarks. Committee members asked about staffing and control of assignments; Mahoney said the public health nurse supervisor and the department will direct assignments and manage the use of contract or school nurses as needed.

No committee vote on the contract was recorded during the meeting; Mahoney said the ratified contract still needs council approval.