Town employees unionize in Prospect

0
40

PROSPECT — At this time last year, there was only one town employee union, now there’s four.

In addition to the long-standing union that represents public works employees, police officers, supervisors, and town employees have all unionized.

Mayor Robert Chatfield said police department employees joined the Nutmeg Independent Public Safety Employees Union in early spring. The supervisors and town employees joined the United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU) in the late spring, Chatfield said.

The public works union, which is part of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, has been in place for more than 20 years, Chatfield said.

The unions cover all employees who are employed by the town for more than 20 hours per week, Chatfield said.

Recreation Director Chris Moffo is the president of the supervisors’ union. He said town employees felt the need to create a union for more security and better ability to bargain.

“The employees felt that a union will provide a bargaining unit for both the employees and the town so that both sides are in agreement with current offerings and that it is fair to both sides,” Moffo said. “We would hope that being part of this union would provide job stability for all employees current and those to come.”

Chatfield said the town has begun negotiations with the public works union, but not with the other three unions. He expects those negotiations to begin shortly.

Historically, Chatfield said the town’s practice was to give all town employees whatever raise increase the public works employees received under their union contract. He expects the only real change to come from the additional unions is more legal fees during negotiations.

“Once we get everything agreed upon and the negotiations are over, the folks in town aren’t going to see any difference. They still have a very dedicated group of employees. I’d say probably the most dedicated in the state,” Chatfield said. “Things will go on as usual after we get the contracts signed.”