City of Somerville, Firefighters Association Local 76 Sign Three-Year Agreement

On September 16, 2026, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Local 76 Contract Signing, ~Photo Courtesy City of Somerville

New contract delivers annual wage increases, enhanced emergency medical response compensation, expanded leave benefits, and cancer-screening support

The City of Somerville and the Firefighters Association of Somerville, Local 76, have signed a three-year successor collective bargaining agreement covering July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, that delivers enhanced wage, leave, and other benefits.

The agreement provides a 2% cost-of-living adjustment in each year of the contract. It also includes modifications to the Local 76 pay scale that provide an additional 2% increase for firefighters with 20 years or more of service.

“Local 76 would like to thank Mayor Wilson and his team for keeping true to their word and putting the work in to get this agreement done. This is what bargaining in good faith looks like, having a contract done in a timely manner and not waiting years to come to an agreement like we had become so accustomed to in the past,” said Local 76 President Mike Jefferson.

Additional provisions include:

An increase in the annual EMT certification stipend to $6,000;
A new emergency medical response stipend in recognition of firefighters’ administration of Narcan, use of LUCAS devices, and delivery of other emergency medical treatments. The stipend will begin at $1,000 and increase to $2,000 in the second year of the agreement;
The establishment of a City-funded cancer-screening account of $50,000, replenished annually, to help eligible employees cover the cost of specified job-related cancer screenings;
An increase to 18 sick days annually and the ability to use up to 10 sick days for an approved Family and Medical Leave Act absence to care for an immediate family member;
Eight weeks of paid maternity leave for employees who give birth.

“This agreement recognizes the skill and service of our firefighters, including their growing role in emergency medical response, while providing stability for Local 76, the City, and our taxpayers,” said Mayor Wilson. “I’m grateful to everyone who came to the table in good faith and got this done.”

The agreement also updates provisions related to education reimbursement, promotional processes, vacation use, bereavement leave, and return-to-duty training following an extended absence.

The contract follows ratification by Local 76 membership and a funding vote by the Somerville City Council. The previous collective bargaining agreement expired June 30, 2026.

To view this update and more City news on the City website, visit somervillema.gov/news.