Revere City Council unanimously approves new police union contract

By Barbara Taormina

The City Council voted unanimously and enthusiastically to approve the city’s memorandum of agreement with the Police Patrol Officers and the Superior Officers on a new contract and the appropriation to pay for it.

Mayor Patrick Keefe introduced the agreement and stressed that it took nine months of intense negotiations to seal the deal. Keefe said his team heard about the plight of officers from the department and recognized the importance of working to meet the needs of a changing workforce.

Sgt. Joe Internicola mentioned that the agreement was nine grueling months in the making. He called it a fair deal that delivered on promises to improve the quality of life of the police force. “Changing the schedule was a big deal. I couldn’t be happier,” said Internicola, referring to the 4 and 4 scheduling slated to begin in May.

Sgt. Dennis Hickey said the agreement reflected Keefe’s interest in investing in both the work conditions and the quality of life of Revere police officers. Police have been asking for the 4-days-on-4-days-off schedule for years, and Hickey said the new schedule will be a significant benefit. “You’ll see a drastic change in the way we police our community,” he said.

Councillors congratulated both the police and Mayor Keefe for the agreement.

“This is what we all should be doing, collaborating for the city,” said Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto.

As he often does, Councillor-at-Large Juan Pablo Jaramillo took a moment to highlight the value of unions. “This is your win,” he said to the police gathered in the City Council Chamber. “You were together, it’s your win because of your collective bargaining rights,” he said.

Ward 1 Councillor Joanne McKenna said the new contract will boost morale. “If we have good morale, we’ll have good policing,” she said.

Ward 6 Councillor Chris Giannino, who served on the Revere police force for 33 years, also congratulated everyone. “This has been a long time coming,” Giannino said. “I’m glad you guys got it.”