When the Town of Billerica unilaterally changed a long-standing practice of paying step increases on July 1st rather than on members’ hiring anniversaries, the Billerica Professional Administrators filed a grievance. At issue: what was once formalized in the collective bargaining agreement had been unilaterally dropped from the contract. The dispute was ultimately resolved in favor of the Professional Administrators. The town agreed that July 1st is the date for bargaining unit members to receive step increases and any current employees who were impacted by the unilateral change were made whole. Local 888 regional representative Lisa Field praised the administrator, since retired, who challenged the town. “She was really tenacious,” said Field. “Thanks to her, the issue has been settled in favor of our members.”