Council ratifies collective bargaining agreement with Firefighters Local 1651

The North Kingstown Town Council on May 12 voted to ratify a collective bargaining agreement between the town and Firefighters Local 1651.

The council discussed the matter in executive session earlier in the meeting pursuant to state statutory authority for collective bargaining. Councilmembers who participated described the negotiations as respectful; two councilmembers said they sat in on the bargaining sessions. A motion to approve the agreement was made and seconded and the council approved the ratification by voice vote.

Why it matters: Ratification implements negotiated terms between the town and its firefighters union and will affect labor relations, department payroll or terms (the transcript did not specify dollar amounts or specific contract provisions). The agreement was one of the items discussed in executive session cited on the agenda under collective bargaining.

The council thanked those involved in negotiations. The town manager and negotiating members were present at the meeting; no contract text or compensation figures were read into the public record during the open session.

The council’s vote followed the executive-session discussion; the town manager had introduced the item and thanked negotiating participants in open session.