East Providence Agrees To Wage Increases With City Workers Union

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — East Providence city officials agreed to two contracts with one of the city's largest unions, a spokesperson from Mayor Roberto DaSilva's office said Wednesday.

The agreement was with the East Providence Professional Managerial and Technical Employees Association (EPPMTEA). The union covers an array of town employees, including workers in the law, planning, water departments and more.

The first agreement, a one-year contract, called for no contractual changes or wage increases for Nov. 1, 2020 through Oct. 31, 2021. The second agreement, a three-year contract, includes an 8 percent wage increase over the life of the contract. These increases are below the 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment effective January 2022 as set by Social Security Administration.

One of the major agreements in the contract is allowing the extension of City Hall hours of operation. Under the new contract, city officials can implement a change of hours at City Hall to better serve residents. The contract enables City Hall hours to be modified from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays, beginning sometime in spring.

"I am grateful to the members of our negotiation team and to the union leadership and membership for negotiating in good faith not only on behalf of the union, but to the benefit of the residents we serve," DaSilva said. "With this agreement, we are now in a better position to serve our city’s residents who often cannot make it to City Hall during regular business hours to conduct their business."