The Boston City Council Committee on Ways & Means on Nov. 24 reviewed four supplemental appropriations to fund recently negotiated collective bargaining agreements for FY26, including $6,733,196 for the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association (BPPA) and $506,452 for the Boston Public Health Commission to implement a settlement with SEIU Local 888.

The measures, sponsored by Mayor Michelle Wu, would draw on the FY26 collective bargaining reserve to cover contract costs. Budget Director Jim Williamson told the committee the FY26 budget included a $102.7 million collective bargaining reserve and that, if approved, the four supplementals would bring the total approved this year to about $65.8 million.

Supporters described the BPPA deal as a one‑year “bridge” agreement to keep the city’s largest police union under contract while the administration completes negotiations with other units. "This is a 1 year agreement, so this is essentially something that we have done here to catch our breath, to make sure that our largest police union remains under contract," Lou Mandarini, senior adviser to the mayor for labor, said.

City negotiators outlined the principal provisions. Staff said the BPPA MOA includes a wage adjustment described in materials as a 2% base adjustment plus a 1% hazardous‑duty differential for unit members who receive it; during the hearing staff clarified that combination equates to 3% for those receiving the hazardous differential. The docket text also described a larger figure in a line that appears inconsistent with the administration’s explanation; committee staff said they would supplement the record with definitive contract language before the council vote.

Other package elements discussed at length included:

- Sick‑time cashout: Staff said the agreement raises the number of days a patrol officer may cash out at 40% at retirement from the prior limit (previously referenced as 200 days for patrol and 260 for some supervisory units) to 250 days for patrol officers to equalize treatment across units. "It was just closing the gap on what the rank and file patrolmen could sell back," a city negotiator said.

- Holiday and vacation scheduling: The contract expands and spreads summer vacation periods to reduce the number of officers off at the same time; staff said this should lower replacement overtime during peak months.

- Details system and civilian flaggers: The MOA reclassifies several types of details (including garages near major event venues) as higher‑priority "type 1" details and confirms civilian flaggers will be limited to traffic control under type 1 and type 2 classifications. City staff said they contracted Extra Duty Solutions to build the app that will manage details and the Ed Davis company to supply personnel for the civilian flagger program.

- Name tags and workplace supports: Negotiators highlighted the inclusion of name tags for patrol officers and a peer‑support program. The agreement also waives prior fees for officer gym use and directs the city to outfit and maintain gym facilities. The MOA provides scheduled workout/meditation time — described by staff as 30 minutes per shift up to four times a week — which negotiators said is intended to help with officer mental‑health and stress management.

The hearing also covered the Boston Public Health Commission agreement with SEIU Local 888. David Susak (Boston Public Health Commission) said the contract provides base wage increases, reclassifies several lower‑paid titles (raising the lowest two grades), offers an employer‑funded legal services plan, and adjusts longevity awards to align with other city contracts. Susak said the changes will alter staffing mixes in programs such as Healthy Baby/Healthy Child to use more program coordinators in some roles.

Councilors pressed for details on timing, staffing, veterans’ leave, and pension impacts. Budget staff said wage growth feeds into periodic pension liability revaluations and that pension cost effects are part of the long‑term actuarial calculations rather than an immediate line‑item change.

No vote was taken at the hearing. Chair Worrell said she plans to bring the four dockets for a vote at the next City Council meeting. Public testimony had one registered speaker listed, a BPPA representative, who did not appear; the hearing then adjourned.

Procedural next steps: committee staff said they will supplement the record with final contract language and clarifications (including the wage/percentage language) before the council considers the measures for final action.