Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Meriden tentatively approves three years of 3% raises in Local 595 deal, adjusts benefits
Summary
The personnel committee reviewed and approved a tentative agreement with Local 595 (MME) that includes three 3% wage increases (retroactive to July 1, 2025), higher employer 401(a)-style contributions (from 5/6% to 6/7% after 10 years) and changes to leave and holiday language; the committee endorsed the agreement and will proceed to finance for budget impacts.
The personnel committee voted to accept a tentative agreement between the city and Local 595 (MME) that city staff said resolves a long‑standing set of open contracts.
City Manager Brian Daniels summarized the negotiation context and said the agreement closes one of several outstanding contracts. Finance Director Kevin McApollo walked through the contract terms, saying, “The wages include a 3% increase, retroactive back to 07/01/2025, 3% increase, 07/01/2026, and a 3% increase, July '27.” McApollo described adjustments to employer contributions for a defined contribution plan (an increase to 6% and to 7% after ten years for employees hired after 7/1/2011), higher insurance cost shares for plan participants, and language changes such as swapping Columbus Day for Juneteenth and adding the day after Thanksgiving.
McApollo said Connecticut's paid sick leave law is now reflected in contract language: sick‑leave physician‑note thresholds were changed in line with state rules. The city manager and finance director emphasized accounting and record practices for future contracts to reduce confusion over memorandum‑of‑understandings and side agreements.
Councilors asked for clarity on retroactive pay and whether similar terms will apply elsewhere; McApollo said the retroactive amounts are owed for prior years and that the treatment of contributions is limited to the contracts that negotiated them. The committee amended a personnel resolution to correct the dollar amount associated with a clerk position (the corrected figure was $8,278.60) before voting. The committee then approved the MME agreement on the record; the vote produced a majority in favor and one opposed.
What happens next: The settlement’s fiscal impact will be reflected in departmental budgets; the finance committee will review total dollar amounts and pension package follow‑ups as part of the full budget process.
