An inside look at Boston Police-Menino Controversy

[louis c]

I'm a member of the Greater Boston Labor Council as president of my local. The GBLC is made up of over 100 locals from Boston and the surrounding communities that are affiliated with the AFL-CIO. We meet monthly at the IBEW 103 Union Hall in Braintree. The Boston Police Patrolman's Association is also a member.

The issue of the Boston Police, the Firefighters, and the School Teachers has been a hot topic at our meetings for over a year. These groups have worked without a contract for over two years. You must take note, that municipal employees cannot strike by law. Remember what happened to the PATCO workers twenty years ago. The same rule applies here. They're only recourse is this type of "informational picketing". The more high profile the event, the greater the impact of the action.

Tommy Nee represents the Police. I've spoken to him, although I don't know him well. He would be negligent as a leader of his Union if he didn't use these available opportunities to his Union's advantage. He holds his position by being elected, too. He has members to answer to, and he has a job to do.

For the last few months strong Labor personalties have tried to settle this dispute, including former State Senate President Tom Birmingham, who is now a Labor Attorney, and the President of the National AFL-CIO John Sweeney.

In addition the Mass. AFL-CIO has an active role is supporting the Boston unions that are still without a contract,including the Police. I've been to meetings in which Mass.AFL-CIO President Bob Haynes and GBLC Executive Directer Rich Rogers have called upon our group to demonstrate unwavering solidarity with the Police.

In addition, the International Police Association, the parent group for the Boston Police, which endorsed Bush in 2000, has publicly endorsed Kerry for this election. As a matter of fact, it was done with much fanfare in June. If Kerry crossed that picket line, it could have caused divisions in our group which would have had a negative impact nationally.

John Kerry made the correct decision, and did it like a man. No excuses about scheduling conflict or sudden illness. Straight out, he doesn't cross picket lines. From what I understand, the police now won't embarrass him at the convention, and will not set up a picket line, so he can accept the nomination.

Menino is a politician, he should know better and understand. Kerry was caught in the middle and had to make a choice. Kerry did the correct thing, and Mayor Menino should not let his pride obscure the big picture. Big cities, both in this state and across the nation, are in financial crisis because Republican policies are intentionally starving the cities and states of financial resources. If the Mayor thinks that Bush and Romney are his friends, than he's even more stubborn than I thought.

[sandnsea]

1. Questions

Is the contract dispute mostly raises or mostly other things? Does not having a contract for 2 years, and I guess no raises, have anything to do with the amount of raises asked for? How were the raises in the previous contract?

I respect John Kerry for not crossing that picket line, no matter what. If we all stood with unions, workers wouldn't be in anywhere near the mess we're in. The "evil unions" is another Republican "wedge issue" and we shouldn't forget it.

[louis c]

2. I'm really not privy to the details

of the bargaining unit, itself. I'm not a member of his Union, just an affiliate group. From what I understand, there are some residency provisions that seem to be sticking points.

The thing is that this should be settled. There is too much at stake for everyone. You have to remember that if the police disrupt the convention without a contract, the leverage is gone, and they will have some bad blood to contend with.

This certainly is brinkmanship, but it's up to the principals to settle.

[cally]

3. Thanks for the info

I was hoping Kerry could resolve this dispute. A Dem could never cross a picket line to an event--let alone a Democratic nomination. Kudos to Kerry and the Police Union for figuring out a way to resolve this one. I was envisioning a convention in the parking lot because many/most of the delegates would not cross the line either. Thanks, police union!

[louis c]

4. I hope I didn't mislead you

The only agreement I've heard is second hand, and only involves John Kerry, himself, on the nominating evening.

There's still a chance some delegates may be in the middle.

I hope it's just posturing by the Police. I suspect the AFL-CIO will step in if there's no settlement, and make the convention proceed without incident. After all, they've given a great deal of support to the police, but have a tremendous investment in time, money, and political capitol in the election of John Kerry.

I can't imagine a disrupted convention.

[cally]

5. I understand

but I still apprecitate where the Police Union is right now. Thanks.

[Walt Starr]

6. John Kerry did the right thing

and my respect for him increased dramatically after that one move by him.

[Killarney]

7. Thanks for the info. Confirms what I thought.

That Kerry did the right thing and that Menino should shut the fuck up, stop his bitching about Kerry, and work to fix this.

:toast: