Two Town Unions Accept Zero Percent Cost of Living Increase

The Easton Police Union and the Administrative and Professional Association accepted a zero percent cost of living increase for the upcoming year, Town Administrator David Colton announced this week.

"In these economic times, they're doing the right thing," Colton said. "Adding the word zero to their vocabulary for collective bargaining is a very important step."

Colton said the "net savings" as a result of the deals would be in excess of $70,000. Contracts for both unions are for one year.

The Police Union also settled a pending arbitration over Quinn Bill Payments. The bill is a system with incentives for police officers to earn degrees in law enforcement. While the town's cost for Quinn Bill Payments were $20,000, "net savings" were still $40,000, Colton said.

In the Administrative and Professionals Association contract, there is non-funded position created for a records manager, which the town hopes to fill through attrition.

"When we have retirement, we would then backfill with this new title," Colton said. "That is what’s needed in the clerk’s office – someone with record’s management skills"

He said the agreements are "great steps in the right direction" from the town's perspective as other unions negotiate contracts. He hopes the deals produce similar results during other negotiations with the Fire, Teachers, DPW, and Clerical Unions.