A ‘productive’ session: Amherst DPW union nears new contract following rallies

AMHERST — Representatives from the union for Amherst Department of Public Works employees say their public advocacy in recent weeks for a new contract and improved working conditions is yielding results.

At its second rally Thursday on the North Common in front of Town Hall, following a previous one held on March 2, Union President Andrew Brace thanked District 2 Councilor Amber Cano-Martin and the Western Massachusetts Area Labor Federation for getting the DPW Associations to the cusp of a new contract. The union’s current contract expired last July.

“Just yesterday, we had the most productive session we’ve ever had,” Brace said, to cheers from those attending the rally. “This wouldn’t happen without all of you here.”

Following recent mediation sessions, Brace said that a new contract could be finalized soon, clearing the way for a ratification vote. Contract negotiations for the 60 or so members of the Amherst DPW Associations began in November 2024.

There has been contentiousness over the contract. After its first rally, members of the union were not allowed to make public comment before the Town Council as they prepared to go into executive session with its attorney to discuss the contract and other DPW-related business.

With councilors unable to go into executive session, that meeting was adjourned, but workers were able to speak to councilors who remained at Town Hall, telling them about various issues, such as lack of pay, a high rate of turnover and the poor working conditions in a century-old trolley barn with a leaking roof.

Since then, Town Manager Paul Bockelman has been present twice for mediation with the union.

Cano-Martin said that his presence was due to the DPW’s advocacy. “Bringing Paul Bockelman back to the bargaining table was the result of your hard work,” Cano-Martin said.

Bockelman on Friday issued a statement about the work that has taken place to reach a deal.

“The town has been at the table with our DPW colleagues for many months,” Bockelman said. “We will continue to engage in negotiations and will work diligently to achieve a fair, equitable and fiscally sustainable contract.”

Cano-Martin also promised that the DPW union, even if able to reach a contract, would have an audience with councilors to air concerns in a public session on March 30. She and At-Large Councilor Ellisha Walker, District 1 Councilor Jill Brevik and District 4 Councilor Jennifer Taub arranged that so any discussion is open and recorded, so residents can be informed about the challenges the department is facing.

Walker, who serves as the council vice president, also spoke to the DPW union and supporters, observing that for too long DPW workers have gone without respect and have not been paid the wages they deserve.

“We see you, we hear you and we are standing with you,” Walker said.

Other speakers at the rally included Chris Herland, president of the Amherst Pelham Education Association; Isaac Pliskin, who co-chairs the University of Massachusetts Graduate Employee Organization; fellow GEO member Sofia Cardenas-Cantu; and Jeff Jones, president of the Western Massachusetts Area Labor Federation.

Jon Foster, drinking water supervisor for the DPW, expressed his appreciation. “It’s our support of each other that has gotten us this far,” Foster said.

But Foster added that he is also challenging town officials to commit to making the DPW a priority in Fiscal Year 2027, as well as in future budgets, and to make sure the town moves forward with a project to replace the current DPW headquarters.

“We also need to address a sick building before it makes all of us sick,” Foster said.

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