The State Budgets To Drastically Reduce The State’s Quinn Bill Funding And Amends Language To Limit Eligibility – A Double Insult To Police Officers

July 1st, 2009 by Bryan Decker
We’ve known for months that the Commonwealth was considering a drastic cut to the Quinn Bill funding.  The FY2010 budget has now been signed by the Governor, and the State has appropriated only $10,000,000 to fund “its share” of Quinn Bill reimbursement, about an 80% cut.  Unfortunately, they saw fit to add insult to injury, ... (more)

News Flash: Sandulli Grace Wins Injunction For Gloucester Firefighters Local 762

June 13th, 2009 by Patrick Bryant
Friday afternoon, Essex Superior Court ordered Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk to request sufficient funding for the minimum staffing provision of the collective bargaining agreement.  This ruling came as a result of a motion for a preliminary injunction filed by Sandulli Grace, PC Partner Bryan C. Decker, on behalf of Gloucester Firefighters Local 762, AFL-CIO.  Judge ... (more)

HRD Gives Up On Banding, For Now

May 21st, 2009 by Alan Shapiro
In case anyone hasn’t seen it, the following is now posted on the HRD web site:   2008 Police & Fire Promotional Exam Info Update Due to the recent preliminary injunction issued by the Suffolk Superior Court in regard to the police promotional exams, the Human Resources Division (HRD) will not band scores for the October, 2008 promotional ... (more)

SJC Gives Public Employers New Tool For Blocking Disability Retirements

May 19th, 2009 by John Becker
In a recent decision, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has allowed a public employer to block an injured employee’s attempt to retire on disability by modifying his work duties so that they no longer resemble his original core job duties.  The decision, Foresta v. Contributory Retirement Appeal Board, was issued on April 24, 2009 as ... (more)

Another Year, Another Successful MCOP Educational Seminar

May 15th, 2009 by Bryan Decker
On April 27, 2009, The Massachusetts Coalition of Police hosted its annual Police Educational Seminar for a packed audience in Westborough.  As in the past, the attorneys of Sandulli Grace, joined by outside experts, presented on a variety of timely legal topics.  Over the years, the annual seminar has become a premier educational event for ... (more)

State Agency Rules Police Union Violated Duty Of Fair Representation To Police Officer Fired For Beating His Wife - Sandulli Grace Offers Tips For Unions To Defeat DFR Claims

May 14th, 2009 by Patrick Bryant
The Commonwealth Employment Relations Board has ruled that the Amherst Police League – which is NOT a client of Sandulli Grace, PC and is NOT represented by any Sandulli Grace client – violated its duty of fair representation in its handling of a grievance concerning the termination of police sergeant.  The case, Amherst Police League, ... (more)

HRD Appears To Have Given Up On Banding

May 13th, 2009 by Alan Shapiro
Based on the attached memo sent to the police chiefs by HRD, it appears the agency has finally relented and will establish promotional lists from the October 2008 exam in the traditional “whole number” formula. As the memo goes on to state, HRD will attempt through rulemaking to change the current rule requiring scores in whole ... (more)

White House Honors Police Officers, Bppa President Tom Nee; Mcop Officers Recognized

May 13th, 2009 by Patrick Bryant
On May 12, 2009, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden honored the Top Cops of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO).  In addition to praising the daily heroism of police officers, President Obama singled out Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, Inc. President Tom Nee for his leadership as NAPO President.  Sandulli Grace, PC, ... (more)