Days after an arbitrator dominated the state was unjust in punishing State Police troopers who refused to get vaccinated for COVID-19, the police union declared the choice a “victory for organized labor and our members.”
“Nearly two years ago, we stood in this very spot shoulder-to-shoulder with the National Troopers Coalition, our State Police Partners from around the country, to denounce and promise to fight against Charlie Baker’s draconian Executive Order,” mentioned State Police Association of MA President Patrick McNamara at a press convention Monday morning. “Today we bring this full circle.”
An unbiased arbitrator dominated Friday in favor of eight state troopers suspended with out pay for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine due in October 2021 — although one trooper acquired the vaccine and returned to work earlier than the ruling.
The troopers have been suspended underneath Executive Order 595, which instated a vaccine mandate for all workers of the Commonwealth’s govt division.
The union mentioned it tried to barter exemptions for the troopers with sincerely held spiritual beliefs however was denied.
The ruling permits the troopers to return to work, and obtain full again pay and earned seniority for his or her time underneath suspension. Their choice to return “will not be made lightly,” McNamara mentioned.
“Charlie Baker’s discriminatory actions have harmed these members and their families both mentally and financially costing them not just their pay but also their health care coverage,” McNamara mentioned. … “These troopers have endured immense suffering and emotional distress while suspended.”
The president additionally famous the union has one other excellent case in arbitration in search of to get 13 troopers who have been dishonorably discharged reinstated. This most up-to-date ruling, he added, “helps the case significantly.”
“This fight to right the wounds of tyranny left behind by Charlie Baker is far from finished,” McNamara mentioned. “Rest assured the association will continue to fight for the rights of our members and will do everything in our power to get every last one of them an opportunity to return to work and back to serving this great Commonwealth.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”