Issue · Lexington, MA

Fire Department Compensation and Contract Negotiations

Firefighters have gone nearly two years without raises while wages sit at the 35th percentile of neighboring towns, raising recruitment, retention, and public-safety risks amid new high-rise development.

Overview

Lexington firefighters have pressed the Select Board for a new contract and pay raises after nearly two years without an agreement and more than 700 days without a COLA. They argue wages lag peers and fail to reflect added risks from high-rise growth. The Board has listened but deferred all negotiations to the Town Manager.

Background

Firefighters first raised compensation concerns at the June 8, 2026 Select Board meeting, citing the absence of a collective bargaining agreement for nearly two years and no cost-of-living adjustment for over 700 days. Union members argued that stagnant wages had eroded morale and created recruitment and retention risks while the department continued to deliver high-level service.

At the June 22, 2026 meeting the issue advanced when multiple Fire union representatives returned to public comment, adding that current pay placed the department at the 35th percentile of neighboring communities. They linked the wage gap to increased operational risks from new high-rise residential development and warned that future recruits might be unable to live in or near Lexington.

The Select Board consistently acknowledged the testimony at both meetings but stated that contract negotiations are the responsibility of the Town Manager, not the Board itself. No vote or formal action was taken on either date, leaving the matter in the hands of ongoing bargaining.

The core dispute centers on whether Lexington's pay scale remains competitive enough to sustain staffing levels amid rising service demands.

How it unfolded

Fire department members testified that morale was at an all-time low after more than 700 days without a COLA or new contract, warning of recruitment and retention problems.

2026-06-08Select Board

Meeting →

Fire union representatives stated that wages had fallen to the 35th percentile of neighboring towns and had not risen for two years, despite added risks from high-rise growth; the Board took no action.

2026-06-22Select Board

Meeting →

Arguments in favor

Compensation has not kept pace with neighboring communities, now sitting at the 35th percentile.

select-board 2026-06-22

For

More than 700 days without a cost-of-living adjustment has damaged morale and threatens recruitment and retention.

select-board 2026-06-08

For

Rising high-rise residential development increases operational risks that are not matched by competitive wages.

select-board 2026-06-22

For

Key voices

“The department has been without a contract for a year and a pay raise for two years while construction density creates higher risks.”

Vice President of Lexington Firefightersselect-board 2026-06-22

“Compensation has dropped to the 35th percentile compared to neighbors and future recruits may not be able to live near the community.”

24-year fire department lieutenant and paramedicselect-board 2026-06-22

“The town's current compensation does not meet the established 75th percentile benchmark for comparable communities.”

President of Lexington Fire Affairsselect-board 2026-06-22

“Morale is at an all-time low because members have not received a pay raise or cost-of-living adjustment in over 700 days.”

Lieutenant in the Lexington Fire Departmentselect-board 2026-06-08

What's next

Town Manager contract negotiations

Where it was discussed

Meetings that took up this issue.

Select Board

2026-06-22Union representatives testified on 700+ days without COLA and competitive wage gaps

Meeting →

Select Board

2026-06-08Fire department public comment on low morale and lack of contract for nearly two years

Meeting →

firecompensationunionmorale