Executive Summary
The Boston City Council Committee of the Whole held a hearing on February 4, 2026, to consider Dockets #0124, #0125, #0126, and #0127 regarding supplemental appropriations for collective bargaining agreements. The hearing focused on funding for the Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718 and the Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors (BASAS). The Fire Department agreement includes an $18.1 million appropriation for FY26, featuring wage increases, longevity adjustments, and expanded line-of-duty death benefits. The BASAS agreement involves a $1.3 million appropriation for FY26, providing 2% annual raises and enhanced parental leave. Both contracts were presented by the administration and union leadership as fair agreements that reward long-term service and support recruitment and retention.
Meeting Information
- Date: February 4, 2026
- Time: 2:00 PM
- Governing Body: Boston City Council Committee of the Whole
- Meeting Type: Committee Hearing
- Chair: Councilor Liz Breadon (District 9)
- Acting Chair: Councilor Ben Weber (District 6)
- Councilors in Attendance:
- Councilor Ed Flynn (District 2)
- Councilor Erin Murphy (At-Large)
- Councilor Sharon Durkan (District 8)
- Councilor John Fitzgerald (District 3)
- Councilor Brian Worrell (District 4)
- Councilor Miniard Culpepper (District 7)
- Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata (District 1)
- Councilor Enrique Pepén (District 5)
- Absent: Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune (Letter of absence submitted)
- Administration Panelists:
- Jim Williamson, Budget Director
- Renee Bushey, Director of Labor Relations
- Jeremiah Hasson, Director of Labor Relations for BPS
- Paul Burke, Fire Commissioner
- Patrick Ellis, BFD Chief of Operations for Field Services
- Rodney Marshall, BFD Chief of Operations for Support Services
- Lou Mandarini, Senior Advisor for Labor
Dockets #0124 and #0125: Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718 Collective Bargaining Agreement
Overview
- Docket #0124: Message and order to reduce the FY26 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $18,118,488.
- Docket #0125: Message and order for a supplemental appropriation for the Boston Fire Department for FY26 in the amount of $18,118,488.
- Contract Terms: July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, and July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
Key Provisions
- Wage Increases: A base wage increase of 2.5% effective July 2024, followed by 2% increases in July of each subsequent fiscal year.
- Longevity Adjustments: New salary adjustments in January 2025 for members reaching 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service.
- Line of Duty Death Benefit: Expanded to include presumptive health conditions (e.g., heart disease and cancer) for active firefighters and uniformed officers.
- Marine Unit: Established new qualification requirements for boat operations, prioritizing marine backgrounds and pilot licenses while maintaining seniority as a tie-breaker.
- Retiree Details: Allows retirees to perform paid fire details to help fill vacancies.
Discussion Points
- Fiscal Impact: Budget Director Jim Williamson confirmed the $18.1 million is supported within the existing FY26 collective bargaining reserve of $102.7 million.
- Staffing: Commissioner Burke noted an attrition rate of approximately 100 members per year, with hiring classes of 60–75 members to maintain minimum staffing levels and manage overtime.
Dockets #0126 and #0127: Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors (BASAS) Agreement
Overview
- Docket #0126: Message and order to reduce the FY26 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $1,307,901.
- Docket #0127: Message and order for a supplemental appropriation for the Boston Public Schools for FY26 in the amount of $1,307,901.
- Contract Terms: September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2027.
Key Provisions
- Wage Increases: Base wage increases of 2% in September of each fiscal year of the contract term.
- Salary Steps: Addition of a new Step 9 in FY27, set at 2.5% above Step 8, to encourage retention of long-term administrators.
- Paid Parental Leave: Expanded to up to 18 weeks (partially unpaid unless supplemented by accrued sick or personal time).
- Educational Differentials: Added a new differential for members holding a Juris Doctorate (JD).
- Career Awards: Automated the processing of career awards at 7, 14, 19, 29, and 34 years of service.
Discussion Points
- Budget Context: Jeremiah Hasson clarified that while BPS faces a $53 million budget shortfall, these funds are additive to the BPS budget as they are transferred from the city's central collective bargaining reserve.
- Professional Development: The contract mandates management to collaborate with BASAS members on professional development planning.
Public Testimony
Sam Dillon, President of IAFF Local 718
- Expressed strong support for the contract, noting it was the result of lengthy negotiations and JLMC mediation.
- Direct Quote: "Our membership overwhelmingly ratified this contract in a general membership vote just prior to Christmas... We would like to see this advanced and voted and endorsed favorably."
Diane Hauser, President of BASAS
- Represented 340 school-based and central office leaders, emphasizing that members have worked without a contract for over a year.
- Direct Quote: "Authorizing this appropriation today allows us to move forward and return our full focus to the critical work of running our schools."
Official Actions
- Votes: No formal votes were taken during this hearing.
- Next Steps: The Committee intended to move the dockets forward for a full City Council vote on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.