Pittsfield School Committee, Labor Union Seek State Mediation

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee and the Pittsfield Federation of School Employees Local 1315 have filed for mediation after failing to come to an agreement over the past year. 
 
The union, which represents support staff including bus drivers, cafeteria works and paraprofessionals, has been negotiating a new three-year collective bargaining agreement since last summer. The current agreement expired in August 2021.
 
Union members attended the School Committee's budget meeting on March 30 to push for better pay and working conditions. The union is asking that support staff be allocated more than $600,000 over the next three years for wage increases.
 
School Committee Vice Chair Daniel Elias, who chairs the negotiations subcommittee, said in a statement that "the School Committee has concluded that the assistance of a mediator at this stage of bargaining will help us reach a settlement that is both fair to our employees and cognizant of the committee's responsibilities over the three years we expect the final agreement to cover."
 
The mediation is being sought through the state's Department of Labor Relations. 

Tags: contract negotiations,   public unions,   

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Dalton Select Board Argues Over Sidewalk Article

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — A heated discussion concerning sidewalks during Monday night's Select Board meeting resulted in the acting chair calling a recess to cool the situation. 
 
The debate stemmed from the two articles on the town meeting warrant for May 6 at 7 p.m. at Wahconah Regional High School. 
 
One proposes purchasing a sidewalk paver for $64,000 so sidewalks can be paved or repaired for less money, but they will use asphalt rather than concrete. The other would amend the town's bylaws to mandate the use of concrete for all future sidewalks. 
 
The article on concrete sidewalks was added to the warrant through a citizen petition led by resident Todd Logan. 
 
The board was determining whether to recommend the article when member John Boyle took the conversation in a new direction by addressing how the petition was brought about. 
 
"I just have a comment about this whole procedure. I'm very disappointed in the fact that you [Logan] have been working, lobbying various groups and implementing this plan and filed this petition six weeks ago. You never had any respect for the Select Board and …" Boyle said. 
 
Before Boyle could finish his statement, which was directed to Logan, who was in the audience, Chair Joe Diver called point of order via Zoom. 
 
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