Town and Police Union Unable to Agree on Contract

Contract talks between the town and the local police union were unsuccessful last week after over five hours of negotiations, according to Selectmen Chairman Bruce Breton.

Breton said that the two sides met with an arbitrator on Friday but were unable to reach an agreement.

The last CBA between the town of Windham and AFSCME, Local 3657 expired in March 2011.

"For the 12th time in 12 years, we don't have a contract with the police union, "Breton said.

Breton said that numerous meetings on the contract have taken place over the course of the last year.

One major part of the negotations involves employee step increases, which are not received by officers without a contract in place.

Breton said that efforts to contact the fire union and get them back to the negotiating table were also made in the last three to four weeks with no answer. A fire contact between the town and the fire union also expired at the end of March 2011.