Simsbury Inks New Labor Deal For Dispatchers

SIMSBURY, CT — The town employees entrusted with calmly taking emergency calls and directing help are getting a pay raise following a contract agreement ratified by town officials recently.

But the raises are far less than the rate of inflation, something noted by town official prior to the contact's approval.

The Simsbury Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a three-year pact with the town's emergency dispatchers union, specifically UE Local 222, CILU/CIPU, CILU Local 41.

The deal was ratified by all parties last month and was finalized by the council at its last meeting Jan. 23.

The motion to approve authorizes Simsbury Town Manager Maria Capriola to enter into the deal with the union.

"I think that, certainly, the agreement was negotiated in good faith," Capriola said prior to the board's vote.

The agreement is retroactive for fiscal year 2022-23 and also covers 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Contract highlights include:

• Pay raises of 2.5 percent, 2.5 percent and 2.35 percent, respectively, in each year of the contract.

• Accrued sick leave equal to 1.75 days per month instead of 1.25 days a month.

• Benefit plan increases to 7 percent of pay.

The union represents seven full-time dispatchers working in town.

According to Capriola, comparitive wage hikes in other towns with new dispatch contracts fall within the 2.35 percent to 2.45 percent range.

"We did take a look at some dispatcher contracts in our region as well," Capriola said.

Simsbury Deputy First Selectmen Amber Lane Abbuhl noted inflation was about 6 percent and above, yet the town and union negoiated pay hikes far less than that.

"I find it remarkable that this is being negoitated at about two and a half percent in light of that," said Abbruh.

For the minutes of the Jan. 23 Simsbury Board of Selectmen meeting click on this link.

For more information on the dispatchers contract, click on this link and scroll to Page 30.