Date: Fri 25-Dec-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

dispatchers-selectmen-pact

Full Text:

Selectmen Approve Pact With Dispatchers

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Board of Selectmen Monday finally approved a contract settlement with the

town dispatcher's union. Newtown's 12 dispatchers had been working without a

contract since June of 1997.

The new contract calls for a two percent raise for the first year (retroactive

from July 1, 1997), a 2.5 percent for the second year, and a three percent

increase starting July 1, 1999. The contract works out to an average pay

increase of 2.5 percent. The dispatchers will receive back pay for work done

while the contract was in negotiation.

As part of the contract, the dispatchers also agreed to go on the same managed

care medical plan as the rest of the town. This will save the town money,

creating a net cost to town of only 1.2 percent over three years.

One stumbling block had been the police dispatchers' wish to work 12-hour

shifts instead of eight. Police Chief James Lysaght was opposed to the idea

and the dispatchers will continue to work eight-hour shifts.

The fire/ambulance dispatchers, located at Edmond Town Hall, currently work

12-hour shifts.

Former first selectman Bob Cascella had worked out a tentative agreement with

the dispatchers, but that proposal reportedly fell apart before he left office

just over a year ago.

"We've been working on it off and on ever since," noted First Selectman Herb

Rosenthal.

Three separate town representatives became involved in the negotiations, which

also contributed to the delay. Former personnel director Nancy Markey started

the negotiations, Mr Cascella then took them over, Mrs Markey came back and

then attorney Catherine Thompson finally finished them.

The contract also included a number of language changes along the way.

The dispatchers union includes dispatchers, as well as the police chief

secretary and other clerical workers from the police department.

Consolidation

Newtown will be consolidating its police and fire/ambulance dispatch centers

by the spring of 1999. The town's E-911 committee has been working for the

past year to ensure that this transition goes smoothly.

Town officials opted to take this route after the state announced it would

cover the cost for an upgraded 911 system for municipalities statewide.

The new digital equipment will replace the existing analogue system, providing

a faster, clearer transmission.

The state only pays for one system, so the town has an incentive to

consolidate. "In order to have two centers, we'd need to pay $75,000 for the

additional center," Mr Rosenthal explained.

The state legislature is also expected to pass a law next year that mandates

all 911 centers be manned by two dispatchers. This provides for better public

safety.

"Right now, our emergency services cannot give pre-arrival medical

instructions. There's just too much to do. Other calls are coming in. In a

two-person system, one person can manage the calls, while another gives

instructions," Mr Rosenthal said.

Both dispatchers will be trained in the protocols of all three medical

services.

The town's E-911 committee has recommended that the new dispatch center be

located in the lower level of Town Hall South. However, a final decision has

been held off until after the municipal space committee decides what to do

with the Main Street building.

The new equipment is expected to arrive in either February or March. However,

the existing equipment will remain on-line until the town is ready to make its

next move.

The eight-member E-911 committee is made of two members from each of the

town's four emergency services -- police, fire, ambulance and dispatch.