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HR outlines recruitment push, unions status and benefit choices; OPEB schedule set for 2034
Summary
HR and benefits staff told the council the HR request is roughly $1.38 million (about 2% higher), described active recruitment for police, lifeguards and CDL drivers, said 11 of 12 bargaining units are under contract through June 30, 2026 with negotiations ongoing for the remaining unit, and confirmed an OPEB funding schedule targeting 2034.
Bill Mahoney, attorney and head of human resources and labor relations, told the council HR’s FY27 request is about $1.38 million, an increase of roughly 2% from FY26, and emphasized recruitment and labor relations work, including negotiating with 12 bargaining units. Mahoney said 11 of the 12 unions currently have contracts covering through June 30, 2026 and that the final unit remains in negotiation; one unit may require joint arbitration if talks continue.
Mahoney described active recruitment initiatives—open houses, high‑school outreach, Mass Hire participation, and partnerships with the parks department—to fill lifeguard positions and other seasonal roles. The administration also said it funded free CDL training to address longstanding driver shortages.
On benefits, staff said the benefits office is fully staffed (five full‑time and one part‑time employee), processed roughly 1,400 changes during last year’s open enrollment, and kept its FY27 request lean with a modest salary increase. Mahoney explained the city opted not to enroll in the state paid‑family‑medical‑leave program, citing employer and employee costs and collective‑bargaining implications; officials said eligible employees can receive up to 12 weeks of paid family medical leave under the state program if they meet eligibility rules.
City officials confirmed the OPEB (other post‑employment benefits) funding schedule targets full funding by 2034, a multi‑year plan the administration and council said they plan to maintain.
Why it matters: workforce shortages (lifeguards, CDL drivers, police) affect service delivery; collective‑bargaining status affects budget planning; OPEB funding reduces long‑term liability risk.
