Milton Select Board releases statement regarding April 17 charge by Milton’s police unions

The following Statement of the Milton Select Board was released on Thursday, April 23 on the Town of Milton Facebook page:

The written statement released publicly by Milton’s two police unions on Friday night, April 17, contains many inaccuracies. As an example, the statement claimed that “[f]our out of five select board members ignored” the Unions’ letter of Saturday, April 11, “and offered no response.” To the contrary, on April 13, 2020, two days after the Unions submitted their letter, the Select Board Chair responded to Officer Joseph Fahey, President of the Milton Police Patrol Officers’ Association, on behalf of the full Select Board. A copy of the Chair’s response is attached.

A lawyer for one of the two police unions, the Milton Police Patrol Officers’ Association, has filed a legal complaint against the Town, which appears to claim that the Town and the union have been engaged in formal collective bargaining negotiations for many months.

The Town has a different view. The Town has referred this matter to Labor Counsel.

In order to ensure that there are no misunderstandings going forward, the Select Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Town, and all the parties, to engage in a more formal collective bargaining process.

The Select Board and the Town Administrator will continue to do what they have done throughout this process: To work hard and in good faith to achieve fair contracts for the police unions.

Response to Officer Joseph Fahey, President of the Milton Police Patrol Officers’ Association, on Monday, April 13, two days after the Unions’ letter of Saturday, April 11:

Mon 4/13/2020 2:25 PM
Fahey, Joseph < >
Joe,

Thanks for your email:

A few things:

1. Since the Select Board has not met since your letter was received late on Saturday afternoon, the Select Board has not been in a position to respond. It is important to remember that the Select Board may only act as an entity, and not through any individual member. The importance of this matter to the Select Board is shown by the fact that it was an agenda item discussed last Thursday evening, and is again an agenda item to be discussed tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.

2. Given the above, and the fact that the letter was received less than 48 hours ago, which period included the Easter holiday, I don’t think you should assume that silence is the response, and that is certainly not what is intended.

3. I agree with you that communication and talking are the best way forward. You have every reason to believe that the Town will continue in that manner.

4. My suggestion is not to be swayed by rumors and things that are “mentioned.” I know of no one who has been involved in the discussions who does not have the utmost respect for Mike Collins, the Superior Officers Union, the Patrol Officers Union, and you.

I fully expect that Mike Dennehy will be in touch with you, and that this process will continue with communication, discussions, and mutual respect.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out. My cell is _ _ _-_ _ _-_ _ _ _.

Best regards,

Mike Zullas

Related posts:

Milton Select Board releases statement regarding police union contract: 3-year contract with 7% raise offered

Letter to the Editor: Milton Police Patrol Association and Milton Police Superior Officers Association seek agreement