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Main Page Dispatchers: Union dues a waste
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Posted by: MCLEA

Dispatchers: Union dues a waste
By Jennifer Roy/ Daily News Staff
Monday, October 30, 2006

NEWTON -- The city's police dispatchers have filed a complaint against their union with the state Labor Relations Commission, stating they are dissatisfied with the union's service and are not getting what they pay for.
Dispatcher Melanie Gallagher filed the complaint against AFSCME Local 3092 last month, according to Edward Srednicki, the labor commission's executive secretary.
Gallagher said dispatchers feel the $6.56 they pay in dues a week is a waste, because they are not being represented properly.
The complaint alleges union president Frank Greco does not attend important meetings, does not respond to correspondence, and does not represent the dispatchers' interests.
Gallagher said she has never had a situation on the job in which the union had to get involved. "If I did, I would hire my own attorney," she said.
She said dispatchers simply want to be excused from the Local 3092, leaving them free to join another union or form a new one.
"We want to be in a public safety union. We want to be in a public union that is more representative of what we do," she said. "We're looking for an answer."
Gallagher said she is the only dispatcher named in the complaint against AFSCME because, "I am the point of contact and not permitted to represent Newton Police dispatchers in this forum. The case was filed on behalf of all of us, but again utilizing my name."
The union, according to documents obtained by the Tribune, has in turn filed charges against Gallagher with Local 3092, stating she has violated its constitution.
"Melanie Gallagher has met with City of Newton officials in an attempt to sever the unit of police dispatchers from the jurisdiction of Local 3092 without the consent of the Local," union officials collectively wrote in a letter filed with the complaint.
AFSCME Local 3092 spokesman Jim Durkin said the union or its attorney, Joseph DeLorey, will not comment on either complaint because it's in litigation.
Gallagher said she received a letter from union officials dated Oct. 10, requesting her appearance at a hearing on the charges against her.
In a letter back to the union, she listed nine reasons she will not attend the hearing, which is set for Nov. 4.
Gallagher wrote she cannot attend the hearing in Boston because it is during her personal time, and would need to be reimbursed for her time and expenses.
"The correspondence indicates that I am the only member of the Newton Police dispatchers being charged. AFSCME has fought the dispatcher's use of the Newton Police Department mailing address, the dispatchers have agreed that my address can be the point of contact. Therefore, the charges need to be amended to including all Newton Police dispatchers," Gallagher wrote.
"The panel of nine is intimidating, when I, Melanie Gallagher, am one person. I cannot subject myself to an intimidating, bias environment."
Gallagher, who has been a dispatcher in Newton for six years, and has worked in the past for the Littleton and Reading police departments, said she is "shocked and appalled" by Local 3092's actions.
She said Police Department brass cannot intervene because it is a union issue.
"AFSCME has consistently failed to meet its responsibilities," Gallagher said.

Posted by: mpd61

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCLEA

Dispatchers: Union dues a waste
By Jennifer Roy/ Daily News Staff
Monday, October 30, 2006

"AFSCME has consistently failed to meet its responsibilities," Gallagher said.

Sounds EXACTLY like Local #1067 too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: ferus fidelitas

what is the latest with you guys ? did you dump the Association of Fools Scheming to Cheat Massachusetts Employees (AFSCME) ? I thought you had that vote a few months ago... The DOC dumped them and never looked back.. Most PD's are independant.. IS there a union that represents just Dispatchers or just them and their peers in similar occupations ??

Posted by: mpd61

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferus fidelitas

what is the latest with you guys ? did you dump the Association of Fools Scheming to Cheat Massachusetts Employees (AFSCME) ? I thought you had that vote a few months ago... The DOC dumped them and never looked back.. Most PD's are independant.. IS there a union that represents just Dispatchers or just them and their peers in similar occupations ??

Just ask the LRC..............We're still waiting on the severance vote decision!

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