Budget committee advances laborers and inspectors CBAs, tables clerical item for review

The Lawrence Budget & Finance Committee on Jan. 28 reviewed three ratified collective bargaining agreements and recommended two to the full council while tabling a third for further review.

Ramona Ceballos, CAFO, presented the Laborers Local 3 contract first. The three‑year agreement (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2028) includes a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for FY26–28, a $250 one‑time signing bonus, a $300 increase in uniform allowance, and stipends to incentivize employees who hold CDL and hoisting licenses. Ceballos said the financial transfers needed to fund the agreement include $52,007 from general‑fund accounts, $3,001.41 for the airport fund, and $39,433 for the water/sewer enterprise fund. She also said post‑accident drug and alcohol testing language was added to align the CBA with the employee handbook and regulatory expectations.

During Q&A, councilors asked about stipend amounts, how the new cemetery work schedule would operate and whether post‑accident testing was enforceable. The administration said the testing follows state mandates for CDL‑required roles and that stipends are intended to improve recruitment and retention. Councilors moved and voted to send the laborers CBA to the full council with a favorable recommendation.

The committee then reviewed the Inspectors Local 3 agreement, a 17‑position unit, which includes 2.5% wage increases across the same three fiscal years, a newly added 3 p.m.–11 p.m. weekend shift with shift differential, a $600 automobile stipend, and a city vehicle for the on‑call inspector. Committee members discussed how contract language relates to an unapproved ordinance creating a new position and how the inspector shift could support after‑hours enforcement. The committee voted to forward the inspectors CBA to the full council with a favorable recommendation.

On the clerical unit CBA (covering 42 positions across multiple departments), the administration described a new training stipend ($1.50/hr) for call‑taker trainers and standard CBA language changes. Councilors raised concerns about a negotiated extension of probationary periods by an additional three months; several members said the rationale and negotiation history must be provided. The committee voted to table that item (6‑26) until counsel and administration provide clearer justification and documentation.

Why it matters: The agreements set pay and benefit expectations for dozens of municipal employees and include policy changes—such as post‑accident testing and new shifts—that affect operational coverage for services including cemetery operations, inspections and public works. The clerical unit item was tabled because councilors demanded clearer documentation about the probation extension before endorsing it.

What’s next: The laborers and inspectors contracts will go to the full council with favorable recommendations; the clerical item will return after the requested legal and negotiation history is supplied to the committee.