East Hampton Town Finalizes Memorandum Of Agreement With Dispatchers

EAST HAMPTON, NY — East Hampton town officials said they and the East Hampton Town Police Benevolent Association, Radio Operators Unit, have finalized a new memorandum of agreement.

The MOA, town officials said, outlines contract terms for the period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. The agreement, recently ratified by both the town board and the union membership, also codifies the implementation of a new "Two Tour" work schedule that went into effect on February 1, 2024.

Highlights of the agreement, town officials said, include:

• Wage Increases: Dispatchers will receive a 4 percent salary increase effective January 1, 2026, and another 4 percent increase effective January 1, 2027.
• Longevity Pay Enhancements: Effective January 1, 2026, $500 will be added to the top three steps of the longevity schedule.
• Night Differential Updates: Adjusted night differential pay rates are included for those working night shifts under the new two-tour schedule.
• Retiree Health Insurance Flexibility: The town will adopt a provision under Civil Service Law to allow employees to use accrued sick leave to offset retiree health insurance premiums.
• Juneteenth as Paid Holiday: Juneteenth (June 19) has been added as a paid holiday for dispatchers.
• Two-Tour Work Schedule Implementation: The revised schedule features rotating 8-hour day and afternoon shifts for three squads, and two squads assigned to steady 10-hour overnight shifts. The schedule includes updated vacation policies, training and payback shift procedures, and rest period protections.

"The new agreement supports the town’s commitment to public safety while also enhancing fairness and flexibility for our dispatchers," said East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. "We appreciate the collaborative spirit of the negotiations and thank our dispatchers for the essential role they play in emergency response and public service."

"Our members play a critical role in public safety, and this agreement recognizes that," said Stephen Blanchard, chairman of the Radio Operators Committee. "We appreciate the town’s willingness to work collaboratively to improve schedules, compensation, and benefits for those who serve on the front lines of emergency communications."

Joseph Izzo, President of the East Hampton Town Police Benevolent Association added: "The East Hampton Town Police Benevolent Association would like to thank Kathee Burke-Gonzalez and the town board for their approval of this significant agreement concerning our dedicated dispatchers. We are eager to continue our collaboration with the town to address the critical issues of recruiting and retaining public safety dispatchers and police officers."

The agreement follows extensive discussions and reflects shared goals of operational effectiveness, employee well-being, and sustained high-quality service to the East Hampton community, town officials said.