STATE LEGISLATURE OVERRIDES GOVERNOR VETO OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BILL

January 20, 1998 - The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association (BPPA) was victorious in its efforts to pass State Senate Bill S. 1894, finally requiring that the same collective bargaining laws that govern Police Chiefs will also apply to Police Commissioners and Public Safety Directors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Because Boston has a “Police Commissioner” rather than a “Police Chief,” Boston Police Commissioner Paul Evans claimed that he was exempt from Chapter 150E, Collective Bargaining Rights for All Public Employees which was passed by the State Legislature in the 1970s.  Commissioner Evans instituted Chapter 322, or the bust approach, “to make all rules and regulations for the efficiency of the police department”.  Commissioner Evans considered himself exempt from collective bargaining agreements - even after he voluntarily entered into and signed the agreement.

The BPPA lobbied hard for the passage of S. 1894, and called on NAPO for our expertise.  The BPPA also turned to NAPO’s political media consultant, Hank Sheinkopf of Sheinkopf, LTD, who launched an effective radio and television campaign.  The BPPA also used direct mail, made thousands of calls to legislators and worked with a coalition of police unions and associations from across the state called the Massachusetts Police Union Legislative League (M.A.S.S.P.U.LL).  Massachusetts’ organized labor also sprang into action for the cause.

“There is a great lesson that police unions and associations across this country can learn from the BPPA experience -- unity pays off!,” said Robert T. Scully, NAPO’s executive director.  “The BPPA retained the services of Sheinkopf, LTD to coordinate this campaign, and it worked,” continued Scully.

Massachusetts Governor Paul Cellucci vetoed S. 1894 in 1997.  When the state legislature reconvened in 1998, the Senate voted 37 to 0 and the House 136 to 7 to override the Governor’s veto.  This was a major defeat for Governor Cellucci, Mayor Menino and Police Commissioner Evans, repealing a law that has been on the books since 1906.

“During Police Commissioner Evans’ refusal to recognize the collective bargaining agreement, the BPPA filed over 400 grievances and 25 unfair labor practices to protect our 1,600 members.  The cost to BPPA members in legal fees has totaled well over $2 million and an increase in dues was required due to Evans’ continuing violations,” said Thomas J. Nee, President of the BPPA.  “We commend the State Legislature for seeing through the fear campaign!,” continued Nee.

The BPPA is a member of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States that serves in Washington, DC to advance the interests of America’s law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education.  Founded in 1978, NAPO now represents more than 4,000 police unions and associations, 250,000 sworn law enforcement officers, 3,000 retired officers and more than 100,000 citizens who share a common dedication to fair and effective crime control and law enforcement