Ways and Means on April 1, 2026

The Boston City Council's Ways and Means Committee held a meeting on April 1, 2026, to discuss supplemental funding for the Boston Public Schools (BPS) related to collective bargaining agreements with the United Steelworkers Local 2936, representing bus monitors. The committee reviewed a supplemental appropriation of $1,461,178 for FY26 to cover wage increases and operational reforms for bus monitors, including a 2% annual wage increase over three years, a $1 per hour flat increase in January 2026, and a $0.70 per hour increase in January 2028. The contract also codifies operational improvements such as transitioning to electronic bidding, enhanced seniority bidding processes, and safety measures like employee IDs and safety vests. Discussions included staffing levels, the role of bus monitors in supporting students with disabilities, and the importance of maintaining full staffing to ensure compliance with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The committee expressed support for the contract, noting its importance for bus monitors who are among the lowest-paid city workers. The meeting concluded with plans to bring the contract to a vote and no public testimony was recorded.