On 8/22/2024, Mayor

Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville City Council ratified a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with SEIU Local 888 membership in Somerville E911.

In a truly historic contract, Mayor Ballantyne stated that "This new contract not only breaks new ground, it breaks the system, and then builds it back up, better."

It is a revolutionary contract for these dedicated public safety members and a massive step forward for a field, which is comprised of a nationwide average of 80% identifying as women.

"It builds in not only cost of living adjustments but higher starting salaries, higher step increases, in some cases more than 9% and 22% higher than the last contract, we added differentials and stipends that mirror those in the Fire Alarm contract, and the contract introduces strong new benefits including access to our new family medical leave program coming soon, which will offer 8 weeks of pay for qualified leaves. The contract also increases vacation time, creates a unit-wide sick leave bank for the first time, and establishes wellness release time for preventative medical care or mental health appointments.

Finally, and importantly, the contract also codifies a more appropriate job title. This contract delivers the job title their parent union is fighting to establish for all of these workers. They are no longer Call Takers. They are now Emergency Telecommunicators, a title that properly reflects their vital, modern public safety

responsibilities accurately."

SEIU Local 888 would like to thank our Public Safety Emergency

Telecommunicators and Police Dispatchers in Somerville, and the true leadership of Mayor Ballantyne, her team, and the Somerville City Council for their leadership.

Mayor Ballantyne has also provided written testimony to the Massachusetts State House advocating for passage of 911 legislation and joins Boston Mayor Michelle Wu in joining Local 888 for further in-person testimony for 911 reform at the State House.