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Massachusetts State Police Union Sues To Delay Vaccine Mandate For Troopers

5K views 31 replies 13 participants last post by  USAF286 
#1 ·
BOSTON (CBS) – The Massachusetts State Police union is suing Governor Charlie Baker to delay the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for troopers. There will be a hearing on the lawsuit Wednesday in Suffolk Superior Court.

The State Police Association of Massachusetts wants a delay so the union can have time to bargain and negotiate the terms and conditions.
Massachusetts State Police Union Sues To Delay Vaccine Mandate For Troopers

My first thought was good the union is looking out for the troopers. Then I saw this part:

The union wants members who’ve previously had COVID-19 or who choose not to get the vaccine for either medical, religious, or personal reasons to be able to take a weekly test and wear a mask on the job.
Seriously? If you've had Covid you still have to test weekly, but somehow if you got the vaccine you're good to go? I know things are different in law enforcement, but what are they going to do if half the department says no? Can't fire all of them. I am so happy we moved out of Mass.
 
#6 ·
Judge denies state police union bid for vaccination delay
58 minutes ago


BOSTON (AP) — A Superior Court judge has turned down a request by the union that represents 1,800 Massachusetts State Police troopers to delay Gov. Charlie Baker’s state employee coronavirus vaccine mandate.
The State Police Association of Massachusetts filed a lawsuit last week saying the Oct. 17 deadline would cause troopers “irreparable harm” and they wanted more time to “negotiate the terms and conditions of their employment.”
A delay in implementation of the mandate would not serve the public interest, Judge Jackie Cowin said in Thursday’s decision.
“Specifically, the public interest is, unquestionably, best served by stopping the spread of the virus, in order to protect people from becoming ill, ensure adequate supply of medical services, and curtail the emergence of new, deadlier variants of the virus,” the decision said.
The union also asked that troopers who choose not to get vaccinated, or who have already had COVID-19, be allowed to instead wear a mask on the job and undergo weekly coronavirus testing.
Union President Michael Cherven in a statement on its website said he was disappointed in the ruling and that “dozens of troopers have already submitted their resignation paperwork,” and intend to work for police agencies “offering reasonable alternatives such as mask wearing and regular testing.”
“Throughout COVID, we have been on the front lines protecting the citizens of Massachusetts and beyond,” he said. “Simply put, all we are asking for are the same basic accommodations that countless other departments have provided to their first responders, and to treat a COVID related illness as a line of duty injury.”
A department spokesperson said no resignations had been received Friday.
Baker announced last month that 42,000 state workers and contractors in the executive branch are required to be vaccinated, or be granted a legitimate exemption, by Oct. 17 or face disciplinary action including possible termination.
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STATEHOUSE VACCINES
The Massachusetts House took a first step toward fully reopening the Statehouse by voting Thursday to require all members and staff to be fully vaccinated if they want to work out of the building.
The 131-28 vote came after hours of debate. Democratic leaders described the mandate as critical to protecting the health of the hundreds of employees who work in the building. Masks will be also required in all House-controlled spaces in the Statehouse.
The move was opposed by nearly all Republicans. In a press release from the state Republican Party after the debate, Billerica GOP Rep. Marc Lombardo compared the mandate to the actions of a totalitarian regime.
“Elected representatives, provide proof of vaccination or be banned from coming into your office or the chamber, fail to comply, and you will lose your office staff,” he said. “This coercion would be expected in communist China, but not in the birthplace of American freedom.”
Democrats said the mandate will help safeguard those working in and visiting the historic building.
“Hey colleagues, in order to stop transmission of COVID, we need vaccination AND masks. Let’s mandate both for people in the State House,” Amherst Democratic Rep. Mindy Domb tweeted. “Masks prevent transmission, vaccines prevent illness and death.”
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VIRUS BY THE NUMBERS
The number of new daily cases of COVID-19 increased by nearly 1,800 Friday while the number of newly confirmed coronavirus deaths in Massachusetts rose by 13.
The new numbers pushed the state’s confirmed COVID-19 death toll to 18,154 since the start of the pandemic, while its confirmed caseload rose to more than 749,000.
There were more than 600 people reported hospitalized Tuesday because of confirmed cases of COVID-19, with more than 160 in intensive care units.
The average age of those who have died from COVID-19 was 73.
The true number of cases is likely higher because studies suggest some people can be infected and not feel sick.
More than 4.6 million people in Massachusetts have been fully immunized against COVID-19.
 
#15 ·
Superior Court Judge Jackie Cowin denied a request to delay Gov. Charlie Baker's state employee COVID-19 vaccine mandate Thursday. The union, representing 1,800 members of the State Police wanted to delay the mandate until the details could be worked out or bargained.


Per Gov. Baker's new mandate, the state is requiring all executive department employees to show proof of vaccination by Oct. 17, or risk losing their jobs.

"Dozens of troopers have already submitted their resignation paperwork, some of whom plan to return to other departments offering reasonable alternatives such as mask wearing and regular testing," the union wrote as a result of Cowin's decision.

Anyone who isn't vaccinated and doesn't have an exemption for medical or religious reasons approved by Oct. 17 will face disciplinary action, which may include being fired, the Baker Administration said.

Judge Cowin ruled SPAM failed to show how the implementation of the mandate on Oct. 17 would either cause irreparable harm to its members or that a delay would serve the public interest.

"We are disappointed in the judge's ruling; however, we respect her decision. It is unfortunate that the Governor and his team have chosen to mandate one of the most stringent vaccine mandates in the country with no reasonable alternatives," SPAM President Michael Cherven said in a statement.

The union says it is looking to have COVID-19 infections listed as a line-of-duty injury.

On Aug. 19, Baker signed the executive order requiring all state employees under his authority to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on or before October 17, 2021. Various public employee unions sought to begin the bargaining process shortly after.

On Aug. 30, SPAM had its first meeting with John Langan, the administration's chief negotiator to seek "reasonable accommodations" for its members instead of an enforced vaccine. These "reasonable accommodations" would include weekly testing and wearing a mask while on the job.

Baker responded by saying testing would prove to be counterproductive in the goals of the vaccine policy.

It was not immediately clear how many troopers have left their jobs, or if any more will be joining before Oct. 17.

Patch reached out to the State Police Association of Massachusetts for a comment on the matter but has not heard back.
 
#19 · (Edited)
A little harsh.
I mean they were good enough to be praised for working during the height of the pandemic without any vaccine available. And now that they’d like to continue to work without the vaccine, they suddenly aren’t good enough?

Those who want the vaccine have had ample opportunity. Those that don’t….. know the risk, and it’s on them. I’m over it.
 
#21 ·
And here I thought I was sincerely helping you out so you don't sound like a complete idiot when citing a wiki to educated people. Smartass... Would of taken the same time to scroll and cite from a legit source.....Perhaps your not familiar with the internet....Some of my elders can't seem to make the adjustment ;)
A little harsh.
I mean they were good enough to be praised for working during the height of the pandemic without any vaccine available. And now that they’d like to continue to work without the vaccine, they suddenly aren’t good enough?

Those who want the vaccine have had ample opportunity. Those that don’t….. know the risk, and it’s on them. I’m over it.
No. Now they become spreaders and a burden. Should they NOT have to get the polio vaccine? HEP? Hell, let’s make all those voluntary. You guys bitch about taxes…guess WHOZ foots the bill for all these guys when they get sick and medical out.

There is NO valid reason for this broad refusal except ego and ignorance.
 
#23 ·
You realize when you say/write things like that you're sending the message that you don't really believe the vaccine works. Why are the vaccinated so afraid of the unvaccinated when as Foxy commented, the vaccinated are just as capable of spreading this virus as the unvaccinated? Why are there no widely available tests for antibodies and why is there no consideration given to natural immunity after recovering from infection? That part really strikes me as odd because the last time there was mumps outbreak I was antibody tested to see if I needed a booster. Turns out I apparently am one of those people that the mumps vaccine is ineffective on. Should I demand that everyone regardless of health concerns, prior infection or religious exemption be forced to get vaccinated for it or become social pariahs? Of course not.

There are plenty of reasons for someone to choose not to be vaccinated against Covid:
I discussed it with my doctor and there's a medical reason
I've already had Covid and have natural immunity
pregnancy
religious exemption
Because I get to choose what goes into my body (and yes control over one's body is a God given right)
I'm sure there reasons beyond these that I just can't think of right now

You may not like any of those reasons, but that doesn't make them any less valid. From what I understand part of the problem here is that people who have a medical or religious exemption aren't getting them approved. Maybe that's because there are so many coming in at one time or maybe it's because the state is playing games and dragging their feet. I don't know. What I do know is that insulting and threatening people who have chosen to not get vaccinated isn't going to convince them that they should. It's only going to harden their resolve.
 
#22 ·
You do realize the “vaccine” doesn’t prevent you from getting Covid or getting sick. It acts similar to a flu vaccine in that it helps your body fight off symptoms of Covid.

“Spreaders”…. of a virus with a 97-99% recovery rate if you do manage to get infected. Cmon man.

You do realize too that vaccination does not necessarily mean Immunization right?

I’d like to see how many troopers are “medically” out due to Covid infections. My guess is probably zero.
 
#24 ·
I’m more than well aware of how the vaccine works.

Do teachers in MA get vaxxed? Nurses? Dentists? Drs? Why? Oh….yeah…

The ONLY reason is a valid medically researched contraindication. That’s it. The rest is utter BS. Please show me where God says it’s ok to infect and possibly kill your fellow Man.

But hey, you do you. And when you or your family get sick, please do NOT occupy space in my ER or ICU. That is for real medical need, not selfishness. After all, you all know so much more than the science…
 
#25 ·
I’m more than well aware of how the vaccine works.

Do teachers in MA get vaxxed? Nurses? Dentists? Drs? Why? Oh….yeah…

The ONLY reason is a valid medically researched contraindication. That’s it. The rest is utter BS. Please show me where God says it’s ok to infect and possibly kill your fellow Man.

But hey, you do you. And when you or your family get sick, please do NOT occupy space in my ER or ICU. That is for real medical need, not selfishness. After all, you all know so much more than the science…
See there you go again. You're sending the message that the vaccine doesn't work. We are talking about a virus that has a very high survival rate for most people. I don't know if it's really the 99%+ number that I keep hearing, but the site that I've been following since March of last year has it at 97.95%. This is an illness that many people don't even know they have until they test positive. Anyone who is at higher risk or who feels that it is the best choice for them should absolutely 100% get the vaccine. I don't know anyone who is saying they shouldn't, but that doesn't give you, me or anyone else to demand that other people get it.

And here we go with the if you get sick you deserve it argument. Let me just throw in the bless your heart now because we both know it's coming eventually. Do you realize how absurd and how ignorant that sounds? Let's stop for a moment, take a step back and apply this to other situations. Consumption of red meat can increase your risk of heart disease. Let's mandate that red meat can only be consumed in 3 ounce portions no more than twice a week. If you choose to consume more you shouldn't be allowed medical treatment if you have a heart attack. How about obesity. Let's mandate that everyone must engage in vigorous physical activity for 1 hour at least 5 days a week unless they have "a valid medically researched contradiction." If you're more than 5 lbs overweight stay out of the ER or ICU you lazy prick. How about alcoholics and drug addicts? As you know overdoses put a tremendous strain on emergency personnel. I guess they should just crawl their selfish asses into the gutter and die. How about the attempted suicide? After all they did that to themselves. Do you see how stupid that sounds?
 
#26 ·
It’s the only illness I’m aware of that you have to get told that you’re “sick” aka positive.


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