With little fanfare or public outcry, firefighters in Derry, N.H., officially received Sept. 11 holiday pay in an Oct. 7 vote.
While Peabody police officers ratified their contract days earlier on Oct. 2, they still await City Council approval.
Derry's seven-member town council approved the firefighters' contract two weeks ago, certifying the holiday before their counterparts 40 miles south.
Details of Peabody's police contract were made public last week. Among the perks, officers received a 13 percent pay increase over four years and increased bonuses for longevity, while agreeing to pay a larger portion of their health care costs and submitting to random drug tests.
The most controversial aspect of the contract was approval of Sept. 11 as a holiday. The decision gave Peabody officers their 14th holiday.
Unlike Peabody, Derry firefighters gave up Columbus Day as a holiday in exchange for Sept. 11.
"It was explained to us up front that it was a swap," said Kevin Coyle, Derry's council chairman pro tem. "I don't really have a problem if they take one from the others."
The New Hampshire firefighters receive 10 holidays in all, according to Garry Williams, president of the United Professional Firefighters of Derry.
He said holiday pay equals 30 percent of a week's pay for firefighters who work a holiday and 20 percent for those who don't.
Coyle said he had problems with other areas of his firefighters' contract, but not holidays, since the number didn't change.
He thought the town council's approval of Sept. 11 would have been a bigger issue if Derry firefighters had added the day rather than exchanging it.
"In (Peabody's) case, money was an issue," he said. "For us, it was a wash, in effect."
Derry firefighters and the town negotiated their contract over 18 months, according to Williams. Union members ratified their contract Sept. 9.
He said the idea of giving up another holiday for Sept. 11 went over well with fellow union members.
"They were 100 percent in agreement," Williams said. "They thought it was great."
While their counterparts in New York City may not receive Sept. 11 as a holiday, he hoped they would eventually. He also thought the nation should commemorate the day.
"I think the nation should celebrate it," the 29-year veteran firefighter said.
STACIE N. GALANG The Salem News, Beverly, Mass.
While Peabody police officers ratified their contract days earlier on Oct. 2, they still await City Council approval.
Derry's seven-member town council approved the firefighters' contract two weeks ago, certifying the holiday before their counterparts 40 miles south.
Details of Peabody's police contract were made public last week. Among the perks, officers received a 13 percent pay increase over four years and increased bonuses for longevity, while agreeing to pay a larger portion of their health care costs and submitting to random drug tests.
The most controversial aspect of the contract was approval of Sept. 11 as a holiday. The decision gave Peabody officers their 14th holiday.
Unlike Peabody, Derry firefighters gave up Columbus Day as a holiday in exchange for Sept. 11.
"It was explained to us up front that it was a swap," said Kevin Coyle, Derry's council chairman pro tem. "I don't really have a problem if they take one from the others."
The New Hampshire firefighters receive 10 holidays in all, according to Garry Williams, president of the United Professional Firefighters of Derry.
He said holiday pay equals 30 percent of a week's pay for firefighters who work a holiday and 20 percent for those who don't.
Coyle said he had problems with other areas of his firefighters' contract, but not holidays, since the number didn't change.
He thought the town council's approval of Sept. 11 would have been a bigger issue if Derry firefighters had added the day rather than exchanging it.
"In (Peabody's) case, money was an issue," he said. "For us, it was a wash, in effect."
Derry firefighters and the town negotiated their contract over 18 months, according to Williams. Union members ratified their contract Sept. 9.
He said the idea of giving up another holiday for Sept. 11 went over well with fellow union members.
"They were 100 percent in agreement," Williams said. "They thought it was great."
While their counterparts in New York City may not receive Sept. 11 as a holiday, he hoped they would eventually. He also thought the nation should commemorate the day.
"I think the nation should celebrate it," the 29-year veteran firefighter said.
STACIE N. GALANG The Salem News, Beverly, Mass.
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