PAX Centurion - September / October 2013

Page 28 • PAX CENTURION • September/October 2013 617-989-BPPA (2772) Howwe got here and where we may be going By Christopher Broderick I ’m writing this article two weeks before the anticipated release date of the Pax Edition you are currently reading. I’m writing this after the City Council received theArbitrationAward from the Mayor’s office, theAward that was issued by the panel weeks ago. This issue isn’t a month and a half old. This issue has been in Arbitration for one solid year. It was Veteran’s Day 2012 when we first sat down at the “Arbitration” table to start that part of the process. It was well over 850 days prior to that since the contract expired in July of 2010, not to mention the 6 months prior that we had available to bargain a fair contract. We will be almost 3 and1/2 years without a contract, without the surety a contract brings in the way we plan our lives. It has gone on too long but there was no choice. When I entered into the Bargaining Process in January 2012 I believed that there was a process in place that two parties could reach an agreement. I believed there was a give and take in the process but that both sides would be a part of it. I thought one side would give ideas and the other would counter and through good dialogue a middle would be met. We, the BPPA, tried that. I believe that a part of the City Bargaining Team tried that too. I found politics to play a much bigger role than I anticipated. It was only rivaled by public perception. I don’t recall Mr. Purcell from the Boston Herald or any representative from the Times Co. being at the table but they sure did play a role in it. Regardless of who was involved and what the order of the day was a two party bargaining process regrettably didn’t work. So off we went toArbitration. Monday November 12, 2012 on the 6 th floor of City Hall we started a process long before decided upon by men and women wiser than us. A process that bound both parties to the decision of a third. Ample time was given for each side to present their case and argue their issues. We worked within that process to simplify some issues and move the process along. The entire time I understood that what the third party, theArbitrators Panel, said was the answer. On top of that another layer is in play. Our City Council must vote affirmatively to fund the financial part of theAward. In a perfect process both bargaining parties mutually agree and endorse theAward. The Coun- cil then is tasked to see if the City has the ability to pay and if it is sustainable. The record is clear. The City can pay, the City will not be crippled, and theWelfare of the Citizenry is still in good fiscal health. I understand the City’s desire to hang their heads low and feel beaten again by theArbitration Process. Contrary to the Fourth Es- tate’s belief the BPPA Bargaining Team is not dancing in the streets. Representing and providing counsel to members of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association since 1993 regarding critical incidents, criminal and departmental investigations, and civil rights matters. Many members have also sought our guidance and representation in a wide variety of matters, particularly personal injury claims on behalf of injured officers and/or their family and friends. We also provide representation in criminal and civil litigation, real estate and estate planning. We invite you to learn more about Byrne & Drechsler, LLP by visiting our website – ByrneDrechsler.com JAMES E. BYRNE XXXXXXXX THOMAS DRECHSLER KENNETH H. ANDERSON • RICHARD P. MAZZOCCA • ERIC S. GOLDMAN • JONATHAN E. TOBIN • JOSEPH A. MERLINO 50 Redfield Street, Boston, MA 02122 (617) 265-3900 • Fax (617) 265-3627 See Going on page 29