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From YouTube: Committee on Ways & Means on January 22, 2021
Description
Docket #0114 - Message and order approving a supplemental appropriation of One Million Eight Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand Two Hundred and Twenty Dollars ($1,857,220.00) for the Boston Public Schools for FY21 to cover the cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors (BASAS).
Docket #0115 - Message and order to reduce the appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by One Million Eight Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand Two Hundred and Twenty Dollars ($1,857,220.00) to provide funding for the FY21 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors (BASAS).
A
Let's
get
going,
I'm
calling
this
hearing
of
the
boston
city
council's
ways
and
means
committee
to
order
for
the
record.
My
name
is
kenzie
bach,
I'm
the
district,
8
city,
councilor
and
also
the
chair
of
the
city
council's
committee
on
ways
and
means-
and
I
want
to
welcome
you
to
the
first
boston
city
council,
hearing
of
2021..
A
This
public
hearing
is
being
recorded
and
livestreamed
at
boston.gov
city
council
dash
tv.
It
will
be
rebroadcast
on
xfinity
channel
8,
rcn,
channel
82
and
fios
channel
964.
we'll
be
taking
public
testimony
at
the
end
of
this
hearing.
So
if
you
wish
to
testify
via
video
conference,
please
email
michelle,
that's
m-I-c-h-e-l-l-e
dot,
a
dot,
goldberg
g-o-l-d-b-e-r-g
boston.gov
to
sign
up.
A
I
am
joined
here
today
by
my
colleague,
councillor
ed
flynn,
from
district
two
and
also
counselor
liz
braden
from
district
nine,
and
I
also
would
like
to
read
into
the
record
a
letter
from
counselor
julia
mejia
who
regrets
that
she
cannot
be
with
us
this
morning.
Counselor
mejia
is
a
member
of
the
ways
and
means
committee
and
a
very
a
very
regular
attendee.
So
we're
sorry.
A
I
shouldn't
make
it
today,
but
this
is
her
letter
to
me
january
22nd
2021
dear
madam
chair,
madam
vice
chair
and
members
of
the
committee
on
ways
and
means.
I
am
writing
to
inform
you
of
my
absence
from
today's
hearing
in
the
committee
on
ways
and
means
on
docket
zero,
one,
one
four
and
zero
one
one:
five:
a
hearing
regarding
supplemental
appropriations
to
cover
the
21
cost
items
within
the
collective
bargaining
agreement
between
bps
and
basis.
Due
to
a
previously
scheduled
engagement,
I
will
not
be
sitting
in.
A
So
thank
you
to
councillor
mejia
for
that
and
to
jacob
who
I
know
is
watching
on
her
behalf,
and
I
want
to
go
in
a
moment
to
our
our
speaker,
which
will
be
mr
jeremiah
hassan
director
of
labor
relations
for
bps.
But
before
I
do,
I
just
want
to
give
my
colleagues
counselor
flynn
and
counselor
braden
a
moment
to
say
anything
before
the
hearing
begins.
So
counselor
flynn,
you
have
the
floor.
B
Thank
you.
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
for
sharing
this
hearing
and
for
your
leadership
on
on
on
this
issue
and
on
all
ways
means
issues
we're
extremely
lucky
to
have
you
as
as
the
chair.
I
also
want
to
say
thank
you
to
mr
hassan
as
well
for
the
important
work
he
does
in
the
bps
team,
I'm
here
to
learn
more
about
the
contract
between
bps
and
the
boston
association
of
school
administrators
and
supervisors.
B
I
know
that
our
school
staff
is
is
working
tremendously
hard
to
give
our
students
a
great
education
in
our
school
system,
especially
during
this
pandemic.
I'm
looking
forward
to
learning
more
about
this
collective
bargaining
agreement
and
I'm
a
strong
supporter
of
the
of
collective
bargaining.
I
know
it's
a
critical
part
of
the
negotiation
process
and
I
also
know
that
our
administrators
and
supervisors
deserve
and
earned
an
increase
in
pay.
B
A
Those
negotiations
happen
outside
of
the
remit
of
the
boston
city
council
and
they
ultimately
result
in
an
agreement
letter
signed
by
both
you
know:
either
the
schools
or
the
cities
when
it's
when
it's
not
the
school
sort
of
the
city's
department
of
labor
relations
and
then
ncfo
and
then
the
relevant
union.
They
then
have
to
go
to
that
union's
membership
for
ratification
and
when
and
to
see
whether
the
members
support
what
the
leadership
has
agreed
and
when
they
get
that
ratification.
A
Only
then
do
they
get
submitted
to
us,
the
boston
city
council,
for
our
review,
and
so
this
this
type
of
hearing
comes
at
the
end
of
that
whole
process
and
the
reason
that
we
have
that
public
hearing
is
because,
typically,
these
contracts
involve
additional
additional
financial
commitments
for
the
city
and
and
often
because
of
the
negotiation
cycle.
We're
actually
retroactively
funding
money
that
would
have
come
to
people
in
the
previous
years,
but
can't
come
until
it's
been
all
agreed.
A
We
always
invite
the
relevant
staff
on
on
the
city
side
to
come
and
just
speak
a
little
bit
to
the
nature
of
the
agreement
and
and
sort
of
why
it's
a
good
deal
for
the
city
and
why
it
makes
sense
for
us
to
take
this
final
step
to
fund
it,
but
it
does
mean
that
in
many
cases
our
process,
like
this
hearing,
comes
at
the
end
of
a
long
process
between
a
large
number
of
stakeholders
previously,
and
we
we
always
hold
these
in
in
a
way.
That's
mindful
of
that.
C
Yes,
good
morning,
madam
chair
counselors
flynn
and
council,
great
braden,
thank
you
for
having
me
this
morning.
I'm
happy
to
be
here
to
present
briefly
on
our
recent
agreement
with
the
boston
association
of
school
administrators
and
supervisors
on
the
extension
of
the
party's
collective
bargaining
agreement
and
will
be
asking
for
your
support
in
our
request
for
a
supplemental
appropriation
request.
As
you
mentioned,
sharing
a
presentation
with
you
right
now.
C
So
before
we
get
into
the
terms
of
the
recent
agreement,
I'll
just
give
you
a
little
background
information
on
basis
and
the
bargaining
negotiating.
The
recent
negotiations
that
we've
concluded
here
a
basis
is
comprised
of
school-based
and
non-school-based
administrators
and
supervisors,
excluding
principals
and
heads
of
school.
So
this
unit
covers
assistant
principals
directors
of
instruction
direct
program,
directors,
assistant
program
directors
that
level
of
employee
in
the
district
there
are
approximately
240
full-time
employees.
At
this
moment
it
varies
by
a
few
numbers
based
on
retirements
changes
in
staffing
at
individual
schools.
C
C
Our
proposals
and
the
unit
did
likewise
and
the
parties
were
able
to
reach
an
agreement
on
october
6th
the
negotiating
teams
anyways
the
basis
membership
ultimately
ratified.
The
tentative
agreement
on.
I
believe
it
was
october
28th
that
they
had
their
union
meeting
and
in
the
school
committee,
ultimately
voted
on
the
agreement
on
december
second
and
approved
approved
the
tentative
agreement
reached
by
the
negotiating
teams
so
getting
into
the
terms
of
the
agreement.
It
covers
a
four-year
period.
C
It's
actually
two
agreements
to
two-year
agreements
from
september,
2016
to
august
2018
and
then
august,
2018
or
september
2018
to
august
2020,
so
the
the
contract
will
actually
have
expired
and
the
parties
will
be
right
back
at
the
bargaining
table,
but
what
we
agreed
to
was
wage
increases
that
are
consistent
with
the
majority
of
our
other
bargaining
units.
Two
percent
increases
over
the
four
year.
Duration
of
the
contract.
C
You'll
see
the
majority
of
pps
units
got
two
percent
majority
of
units
across
the
city
got
two
percent
increases
during
this
period,
so
it's
a
contract,
that's
consistent
and
equitable,
with
our
other,
the
majority
of
our
other
employees.
I
say
majority
because
you
may
recall
the
btu
actually
got
a
three
percent
increase
in
there
at
one
point,
but
that
was
in
exchange
for
some
for
some
different
reforms
that
the
school
committee
was
looking
for.
C
C
So
we
we
believe
this
is
a
significant
gain
for
the
district
and
improves
the
staffing
authority
for
school
leaders
and
department
heads
so
we're
pleased
with
that
reform.
Language
and
again,
we
think
the
the
wage
increases
agreed
upon
here
are
fair
and
consistent
with
our
other
employees
in
the
bargaining
units
across
the
city
of
boston.
C
C
I
believe
that
should
be,
and
then
the
fy
17
increase
you'll
see
is
just
over
375
000
you'll
see
the
annual
increases
and
these
increases
are
actually
paid
for
by
a
reserve
fund
that
the
committee
set
aside,
anticipating
that
this
we
would
reach
an
agreement
somewhat
in
this
in
this
range
for
wage
increases.
What
we're
here
for
is
to
request
your
support
for
the
supplemental
appropriation
quest
request
for
the
fy
21
year
and
you'll
see
it's
the
annualized
cost
of
five
1.850,
two
hundred
and
twenty
thousand
dollars.
C
So
that's
what
we're
looking
for
in
this.
In
our
request
to
the
city
council
and
I'm
happy
to
answer
any
additional
questions
that
you
may
have
again.
I
just
want
to
thank
councillor
flynn
for
his
support
in
his
opening
statement
and
just
kind
of
reiterate
that
we've
gotten
a
great
amount
of
support
from
these
bargaining
unit
members
during
this
this
pandemic
and
with
the
ongoing
challenges
that
the
school
department
faces
is
facing
the
basis
members
have
really
stepped
up.
C
A
Great,
thank
you.
So
much
I'll
hold
my
questions
to
the
end
and
go
first
to
my
colleagues.
So
I'll
go
to
counselor
flynn
and
then
I
want
to
know.
We've
been
joined
by
counselor
michael
flaherty
at
large,
so
go
to
counselor
flynn
for
any
comments
and
questions
and
then
to
counselor
flaherty
and
then
to
counselor
anissa
sabi
george
who's
also
joined
us,
who
is
who
is
also
an
at-large
counselor,
and
my
vice
chair
for
the
committee.
So
counselor
flynn.
B
Yeah
thank
thank
you,
council
of
bark
chia
book
and
mr
awesome
thank
you
for
you
and
your
team
for
the
ongoing
negotiations
with
the
with
our
supervisors
and
administrators
in
the
in
the
bps.
That's
how
that's
how
our
contracts
are
settled
is
sitting
sitting
at
the
table
and
respecting
each
other
and
listening
to
each
other,
so
sometimes
they're
difficult
or
sometimes
they're,
they
they're
they're
easier,
but
the
most
important
part
of
it
is
treating
everyone
treating
both
sides
with
with
respect
and
dignity.
B
So
I'm
looking
forward
to
supporting
it
and
again
just
want
to
say
thank
you
to
the
your
bps
team,
but
also
to
the
boston
association
of
school
administrators
and
supervisors
that
do
an
incredible
job,
educating
working
with
our
teachers
in
educating
our
students,
especially
during
these
difficult
times,
and
they
provide
a
tremendous
service
to
our
bps
families,
but
also
they
help
build
our
city
and
they
make
our
city
stronger.
So
thank
you
to
the
bps
team
and
to
the
school
administrators
as
well.
Council
block.
I
don't
have
any.
D
Thank
you,
madam
chairs.
You
can
control
with
our
colleague
council
fund's
comments
and
just
thank
jeremy
for
jeremiah
for
his
thorough
presentation
and
I
paid
attention
with
interest
and
we'll
defer
and
we'll
support
the
chair's
recommendation,
and
I
appreciate
your
reference
this
morning,
madam
chair.
E
A
A
C
Yes,
I
think,
that's
fair
to
say
it
definitely
went
longer
than
any
of
our
other
bargaining
negotiations
with
our
other
units.
You
know,
I
think,
there's
a
few
reasons
for
that.
As
I
mentioned,
we
reach
a
short
agreement
with
the
btu
and
then
actually
the
btu
in
the
me.
While
we
were
engaged
in
these
negotiations,
there
were
two
a
two-year
agreement
with
the
btu
and
then
another
three-year
agreement,
which
is
also
a
little
bit
unique,
so
that
kind
of
delayed
our
ability
to
to
bargain
with
the
administrative
and
supervisors.
C
So
that
pushed
it
off.
You
know,
I
think
both
sides
we're
sticking
to
their
positions
for
a
while,
but
then
you
know,
in
light
of,
as
I
mentioned,
in
light
of
everything
going
on
with
the
with
the
pandemic
and
kind
of
the
changes
in
circumstances
we
really
buckled
down
and
were
able
to
to
get
to
an
agreement.
This
fall.
A
Great-
and
I
just
want
to
echo
my
colleagues
comments
that
you
know
our
school
administrators
and
for
folks
watching
at
home
this-
I
think
mr
hassan
said
it,
but
this
excludes
our
principles
and
heads
of
school,
but
it's
a
lot
of
the
folks
on
their
leadership
teams
immediately
beneath
them.
So
right
it's
the
assistant
principles.
What
would
be
what
would
be
like
sort
of
academic
heads?
What
would
be
other
categories
of
titles
just
so
that
people
at
home
know
who
we're
talking
about
with
these
240
folks?
Yes,.
C
A
Absolutely-
and
I
think
also
you
know
in
this
in
this
really
hard
difficult
year-
there's
there's
needed
to
be
so
much
reimagining
right
for
all
of
our
schools
and
all
of
our
units.
I
mean,
I
think
this
also
includes
a
bunch
of
the
supervisory
people,
who've
been
figuring
out
food
services
right
and
like
and
the
whole
way
to
feed
all
of
our
kids
and
families
in
a
totally
new
way
so
yeah.
I
just.
A
I
definitely
feel
like
they
have
the
council's
gratitude
along
with
yours
and
could
could
you
just
speak
a
little
bit
to
again?
I
just
want
to
land
on
the
on
the
financial
point
so
for
folks
again
at
home
when
the
when
there's
a
contract
out
for
negotiation,
typically,
the
school
committee
or
the
budget
office
will
set
aside
a
certain
amount
of
money
so
that
when
we
reach
an
agreement,
there
isn't
a
big
gap
and
suddenly
the
city's
in
a
really
tough
financial
situation.
A
So,
but
you
can
never
know
exactly
how
these
things
are
going
to
go.
So
it's
not
exact
right,
and
so
my
understanding
from
what
you're
saying
jeremiah
is
that
the
you
know?
So
if
you
had
you
had
that
slide
up
earlier,
it's
four
million
something
right:
it's
the
total
cost
of
this
agreement
to
the
to
the
city,
but
but
there's
about
three
million.
Let's
just
say,
I'm
being
round
numbers
that
was
funded
in
that
reserve
and
now
we've
got
1.8
that
the
council
needs
to
authorize
for
this
year.
C
Yes,
that's
correct!
It's,
as
you
mentioned,
the
our
budget
office
works
with
the
city
and
creates
a
reserve
fund
for
outstanding
liabilities,
and
some
of
them
are
more
certain
than
others
for
the
collective
bargaining
we
kind
of
anticipate
where
the
agreement
will
land
within
a
given
range
and
set
aside
certain
money
now
a
certain
amount
of
money
in
each
year.
So,
as
you
pointed
out,
the
total
cost
is
in
the
four
million
dollar
range,
but
for
the
individual
for
the
yearly
payments
for
fy,
17,
fy,
18,
fy,
19
and
fy
20.
C
A
And
obviously,
even
though
the
the
agreement
itself
ends
as
of
august
2020
right,
so
we're
all
we're
already
out
of
the
agreement
again
just
for
people
who
might
be
interested
and
I'm
doing
all
this
explaining,
because,
frankly,
we
have
quite
a
number
of
city
contracts
that
are
up
for
negotiations.
So
we're
going
to
have
many
more
of
these
coming
and
I
I
think
it's
helpful
to
to
tell
people
kind
of
how
the
process
works.
So
this
because
it
reaches
so
far
back,
is
actually
for
an
agreement.
A
That's
already
expired,
but
the
way
it
works
is
when,
when
there
is
an
expired
agreement,
we
continue
on
the
same
pay
scale
and
the
same
contract
provisions
as
the
expired
agreement
until
a
new
agreement
is
reached.
So
is
it
accurate,
mr
hassan,
that
this
this
funding?
It's
not
just
our
funding
to
get
through
august
2020,
which
would
just
be
the
first
two
months
of
fy21
under
this
agreement.
It's
continuing
the
provisions
of
the
final
year
of
the
agreement
all
through
this
fiscal
year
to
june
30.
C
Yeah
so
that
that's
correct-
and
you
mentioned
you
know
that
we've
been
on
the
same
wage
salary
scale
since
the
prior
contract
expired
in
2016..
So
these
unit
members
haven't
seen
any
increases
in
their
wages
during
that
time.
So
what
this
agreement
will
do
will
provide
them
those
increases
retroactively
and
then
you
will
see
the
costs
of
those
retroactive
increases.
A
Great
yeah
and
that's
why
that's
really
why
this
is
our
first
hearing
of
the
year.
Is
that
it's
our
first
hearing
of
the
year,
but
it's
been
a
long
time
coming
for
the
folks
in
this
bargaining
unit.
So,
as
mr
hassan
just
said,
you
know,
there's
there's
wage
increases
that
people
have
been
waiting
on
since
2016.
That
will
only
get
released
with
a
council
vote
on
this
matter.
So
that's
why
we're
really?
A
It
was
filed
on
the
first
meeting
of
the
year
and
were
get
you
know,
holding
this
hearing
prior
to
the
second
meeting
of
the
year,
because
of
because
of
that
time,
pressure
that
has
a
real
impact
on,
as,
as
jeremiah
has
said,
you
know
some
of
our
really
important
key
bps
staff's
lives
and
financial
well-being,
so
yeah.
I
just
want
to
highlight
that,
and
I
will
say
also
the
it
makes
good
sense
to
me.
I
know
it's
always
a
challenge
in
our
negotiations.
A
Kind
of
going
back
and
forth
between
you
know
flexibility
and
the
our
our
school
leadership's.
You
know,
plans
and
priorities
and
then
security
for
our
workforce,
but
I
do
think
you
know
just
as
someone
who
visits
the
schools
in
my
district
and
and
talks
leadership
and
there's
a
bunch
of
counselors
on
the
call
who've
been
doing
that
for
a
long
time.
A
I
do
think
it's
important
for
our
school
principals
and
heads
of
school
to
have
the
the
flexibility
to
build
out
a
leadership
team
that
that
they
choose
and
that
can
kind
of
help
take
take
the
school
in
the
direction
they're
trying
to
take
it.
So
I
think
that
that
proposal
that's
been
agreed
as
part
of
this
you
know,
makes
good
sense,
and
I
just
wanted
to
highlight
that
as
well
as
part
of
part
of
the
result
of
this
negotiation.
A
C
Well,
if
I
just
want
to
thank
you,
madam
chair
and
counselors
again
flynn,
flaherty
and
assad
george
for
for
speaking
in
support
of
both
the
work
of
my
office
and
our
bargaining
partners
specifically
basis
here,
we
really
appreciate
your
support
on
this
and
again
we
request
that
you
reiterate
that
support
to
the
general
counsel
at
the
time
of
the
vote.
So
thank
you
very
much
for
for
coming
in
for
your
time
today.
B
Yeah,
council,
council-
I
I
just
have
a
quick
question
for
mr
hassan
generally.
If
you
could
generally
speak
about,
I
have
an
idea
of
of
how
it
works,
but
maybe
maybe
you
can
provide
a
little
bit
more
information
when
a
contract,
it's
like
this
contract
will
soon
expire
and,
generally
speaking,
what
is
the
process
of
starting
up
negotiations
again
with
this,
with
this
group
or
with
btu,
when,
when
you
have
an
expired
contract
that
you're
working
on,
when
do
you
engage
them
to
start
negotiating
again
for
for
another
contract?
B
C
Okay,
so
counselor
thank
you
for,
and
I
just
want
to
clarify
this
actually.
If
this
is
ultimately
finalized,
it
will
actually
have
already
expired
in
august,
so
we'll
be
without
a
contract
again
and
just
to
kind
of
it
can
vary
a
little
bit.
I
guess
again
any
attorney
answer.
It
depends,
but
all
kind
of
generally
speaking
it
before
the
contract
has
expired.
Usually
the
bargaining
unit
will
notify
the
employer
of
their
desire
to
to
begin
negotiations
and
stop
the
the
process.
C
C
C
C
Your
question
is
they'll,
typically,
request
bargaining
start
starting
right
before
their
agreements
expire,
and
then
the
parties
will
work
together
to
schedule
a
timeline
of
meetings
and-
and
it
may
very
depend
on,
depending
on
the
needs
of
our
office,
of
the
bargaining
leaders
for
any
individual
unit.
So
there's
not
really
like
a
set
timeline
and,
as
you
can
see
here,
they
can
drag
on
for
extended
periods
in
some
respects.
In
some
occasions.
Sometimes
they
can
be
agreed
upon
finalized
rather
quickly,
so.
A
E
C
A
C
C
Would
be
my
estimate,
it's
not!
This
isn't
a
unit
that
sees
a
huge
turnover
year
to
year,
so
more
on
that
more
than
that
10
to
20
more
in
that
range.
So
I
could
come
back
with
a
more
definitive
number
if
needed,
but
it's
not
it's
not
a
huge
number
again.
This
unit
doesn't
see
a
ton
of
turnover
year
to
year,
great.
A
All
right:
well,
I
think
those
are
everybody's
questions.
I
want
to
thank
you
again,
both
you
and
the
basis
team,
for
you
know,
negotiations
at
goodwill
and
also,
like
you
know,
really
trying
to
get
to
an
agreement
in
this
difficult
time
for
the
city
where,
where
they've
really
been
essential
workers.
So
thank
you.
Thank
you
for
reaching
that
agreement
and
thank
you
for
bringing
to
it
to
us
today.
Before
we
conclude
the
hearing,
I
do
want
to
move
to
public
testimony.
A
It's
it's
from
dominic
sacchetti,
who
is
the
basis
president
and
dominic
has
written
to
say
madam
chair
vice
chair
and
members
of
the
ways
and
means
committee
on
behalf
of
the
members
of
the
boston
association
of
school
administrators
and
supervisors.
I
want
to
thank
you
all
for
affording
me
this
opportunity
to
address
you
in
writing
on
this
subject
of
vital
importance
to
the
hard-working
members
of
our
union
in
lieu
of
live
testimony.
I
ask
that
you
make
the
following
statement.
A
A
part
of
the
public
record,
as
most
of
you
know,
basis,
represents
the
school
administrators
who
are
on
the
front
lines
daily
in
managing
our
school
system
and,
along
with
it,
our
most
precious
resource,
the
children
who
attend
our
public
schools.
Our
members
are
mainly
veteran
educators
who
care
deeply
about
the
mission
of
bps
and
take
great
pride
in
their
work.
A
My
own
heart
bursts
with
pride
over
the
ways
in
which
our
members
have
responded
to
this
terrible
public
safety
emergency
by
standing
with
you
and
adopting
a
stance
of
cooperation
as
we
partner
with
the
city
of
boston
to
maintain
some
semblance
of
educational
normalcy.
During
this
most
abnormal
of
times,
our
administrators
have
not
hesitated
to
step
into
the
breach
throughout
the
peril,
including
our
members
working
in
the
food
service
delivery
system,
whose
untiring
efforts
through
this
crisis
have
ensured
the
uninterrupted
delivery
of
meals
to
our
most
vulnerable
students.
A
Those
of
you
who
have
visited
the
schools
during
this
pandemic
have
seen
our
members
on
the
front
lines
with
your
own
eyes.
We've
worked
uncomplainingly
without
a
contract
for
the
last
four
and
a
half
years
and
have
gone
without
a
raise
since
november
2016,
while
others
have
secured
favorable
contracts
with
raises
exceeding
the
cost
of
living
adjustments
now
under
consideration
for
us.
In
short,
we
have
stood
by
you
for
the
last
four
and
a
half
years.
A
A
Why
is
it
in
the
interest
of
the
city
to
see
to
it
that
we
secure
fair
compensation
because
we
are
managing
a
precious
resource
and,
as
I
mentioned
earlier,
we
have
been
doing
so
without
arrays
for
over
four
years.
During
that
time,
even
the
modest
rates
of
inflation
that
we've
seen
in
this
economy
have
eroded
our
buying
power
and
with
it
our
ability
to
keep
pace
as
we
strive
to
provide
for
ourselves
and
our
families
can
the
city
afford
these
raises.
A
The
answer
is
yes,
more
than
18
months
ago,
when
we
were
at
impasse
with
the
city
and
the
negotiations
that
led
to
these
agreements,
a
neutral
fact,
finder
concluded,
based
on
the
publicly
available
data
pertaining
to
the
city's
financial
position
that
it
could
afford
the
raises
we
seek
the
city
has
that
report
and
if
any
of
you
would
like
a
copy,
I'm
glad
I'll
be
glad
to
make
it
available.
The
mayor's
request
to
reduce
the
reserve
set
aside
to
finance
collective
bargaining
agreements
demonstrates
that
the
city
has
the
funding
available
to
pay
for
these
races.
A
In
closing,
I
would
like
to
personally
thank
boston's
favorite,
and
hopefully
our
soon-to-be
secretary
of
labor,
mayor
walsh,
for
his
timely
assistance
in
bringing
our
long-standing
impasse
to
a
successful
conclusion.
Without
that
assistance
today
would
not
have
been
possible.
I
now
ask
that
you
take
the
final
step
necessary
to
secure
reasonable
compensation
for
the
veteran
educators
who
make
up
the
membership
of
basis
by
voting
a
favorable
recommendation
on
mayor
walsh's
request.
Thank
you,
dominic
zacchetti
basis,
president.
A
So
I
want
to
thank
dom
for
that
public
testimony
and
I
believe
that's
the
only
public
testimony
that
we
have
today.
So,
as
I
previously
noted
as
the
chair
of
ways
and
means,
I
will
be
recommending,
at
our
next
boston
city
council
meeting
that
the
council
take
a
affirmative
vote
in
favor
of
this
agreement
and
the
two
dockets
that
we've
been
considering
today.
So
look
forward
to
that
next
wednesday
and,
in
the
meantime,
just
again
want
to
thank
basis
and
the
school
department
represented
by
mr
hassan
today.