Firefighters have valid complaint, but selectmen say they have done nothing wrong.
Selectmen and the town’s firefighters’ union are at odds over negotiations on a new contract. That is nothing new. What is unusual is the reason the union is complaining has nothing to do with salary, benefits or working conditions. Union president Richard Medeiros says selectmen are violating the town charter by refusing to negotiate in person. Selectmen have been sending their attorney and the Town Manager to negotiating sessions, and say they have no intention of changing that. This is a break from past practice, when at least two selectmen sat in on negotiations. And they sat in for good reason. The Town Charter clearly and unambiguously states two selectmen “shall attend and participate with the town manager” in all collective …
41.970339
-71.180571
Norton Fire Department
70 E Main St, Norton, MA
/articles/fire-union-wants-selectmen-to-follow-charter
792057
/locations/4253983
Public deserves better than last-minute agreements.
There are a lot of things I don't like about the way collective bargaining is done in municipalities, but what bothers me most is the way we fund contracts at Town Meeting. It is not uncommon in Norton and other towns to place articles on the Town Meeting Warrant seeking to fund agreements with labor unions. There is such an article on the warrant of the Jan. 19 meeting seeking funding for a possible agreement with the town's firefighters. Whether it will end up actually being moved or not depends on whether final agreement is reached in time. But far too often these contracts are agreed to by town officials and the unions at the last minute, making approval for funding by Town Meeting nothing more than a rubber stamp. It is a practice …
41.96369
-71.19198
Henri A Yelle Elementary School
64 W Main St, Norton, MA
/articles/town-meeting-needs-more-time-for-contracts
792103
/locations/3027623
Bill Gouveia
10:05 am on Saturday, January 15, 2011
Glad to know we are both good then, Andy. Yes, I took the test too - all officials must now. And I'm glad to know you agree on the 30 day proposal - just another thing we agree on! Thanks again for reading and responding - it is always good to have readers following you closely. more ›