Governor Chris Sununu Announces Tentative Contract Agreements With All Four State Employee Unions

Concord, NH - Today, Governor Chris Sununu announced that the State of New Hampshire has reached tentative contract agreements with the four State employee unions. The agreements will provide cost-of-living increases to employees and make changes to certain policies that will reduce the administrative burden on the State and better align work incentives.

"I am pleased that we were able to come together and reach an agreement that both recognizes the tremendous work of our State employees and protects the interests of the State's taxpayers," Governor Sununu said. "We have an excellent collective bargaining process in place, and that process worked. While neither side got everything it wanted, both sides kept faith with the process, negotiated in good faith, and achieved a fair compromise that delivers a true win-win for the State and its hard working employees. This is truly the New Hampshire way, and I extend my sincere thanks to all involved for their hard work in getting us to this point."

Employees represented by the State Employees Association (SEA), the New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA), and the New Hampshire Troopers Association will receive a 1.5% raise effective the first pay period after execution of a final contract and another 1.5% raise in January of 2019. State corrections officers, who are represented by Teamsters Local 633, will receive a 9.1% raise effective July 1, 2018. The larger increase for corrections officers reflects a market adjustment to better align corrections officers' pay with other states.

In return, employees are agreeing to make certain changes to sick leave and bonus leave policies that will allow the State to reduce administrative costs and ensure that incentives are structured in a fair manner.

The four contracts will cost about $13.5 million in general funds in fiscal year 2019. The agreements must still be ratified by each union and by the Legislature.

Marc Beaudion, President of the NHTA, said "the New Hampshire Troopers Association is pleased to have reached an agreement with the State that is fair for the Troopers while being fiscally conservative for the State."

"The SEA is pleased to announce that they have reached the terms for a tentative contract settlement with the State, " said Jim Niall, Chairman of the SEA Master Bargaining Team. "The SEA and the State are working to finalize the agreement language and the SEA has scheduled a meeting of its bargaining senate on Thursday April 23rd 2018 to review the tentative agreement."

"Teamsters Local 633's negotiating committee wholeheartedly supports this contract settlement," said Jeff Padellaro, Secretary/Treasurer of Teamsters Local 633 of NH. The brave men and women of the NH Department of Corrections work long hours in a very dangerous environment, and I am glad that the State has recognized the need to become more competitive in order to attract and retain corrections officers through this agreement. We now call on the legislature to support and fund this contract."

Chief Negotiator Ronald Scaccia from NEPBA stated, "After a long and arduous journey we are happy to finally get an agreement with the State of NH that shows some respect for the hard work, dedication, and loyalty to the critically needed law enforcement personnel of the State of NH, especially in these times when being in law enforcement is extremely hazardous and under appreciated. Hopefully going forward the State recognizes that to retain its qualified law enforcement personnel who risk their lives for the citizens of NH they must offer competitive wages and benefits."