First Massachusetts State Police trooper fired because of coronavirus vaccine mandate, just days before Christmas, union says
The first Massachusetts State Police trooper to get fired because of the state’s coronavirus vaccine mandate was canned just days before Christmas, according to the police union.
Gov. Charlie Baker’s vax order went into effect in October, requiring state workers to get the shot. There is no regular testing option with the mandate.
“‘Twas the night before Christmas and the terminations began…,” the State Police Association of Massachusetts wrote about the first trooper firing over the vax mandate.
“Unfortunately this is just the first of many,” the law enforcement union added. “During a time of critically short staffing and in a world where we strive to have a well rounded, educated and wholesome Trooper, this is a loss for all of us.”
The State Police Association of Massachusetts said it does not have a specific number of troopers facing potential termination.
“This particular terminated trooper actually had to make a formal request through his attorney for an ‘expedited process’ due to the ongoing slow nature of the discipline being handed down by the administration,” a union spokesman said.
The fired trooper was not named by the union. He was a trooper for three years, and was previously a local police officer for five years, SPAM said.
He was assigned to the State Police Mounted Unit after working as a trooper on the road.
“He was never disciplined in any way shape or form from either department prior to the mandate,” the union said.
The terminated trooper is a Marine Corps veteran, and is a third-generation law enforcement officer.
He taught religious education for five years, was a Eucharistic minister, volunteered at the Bedford VA, as well as for the Special Olympics.
“These are the members we are losing because they are not afforded the right to have reasonable accommodations,” the union added.
The State Police Association of Massachusetts has tried to block the mandate in court, and they’ve lost.
The union said, “We will continue to look at all legal options and work with our members to ensure their rights are protected.”
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3FnFv8W
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