TR-86-9 }5
.�t RESOLUTION NO. TR-86-9
A Resolution Declaring the Agawam Town Council's opposition
to the Mass. House Bill No. 863 Binding Arbitration for Police
and Fire Departments. (Sponsor: Councillor Alfred Trehey)
WHEREAS, the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
is considering a binding arbitration bill;
WHEREAS, the Massachusetts Municipal Association comprised of the
' elected governing officials of the cities and. towns of this Commonwealth have
opposed this bill;
WHEREAS, there is no need for binding arbitration, public safety salaries
have increased faster than any other group of public employees and public safety
staffing levels are significantly above the national average, all of this is true
despite the severe limitation on municipal revenue required by 2 1/2;
WHEREAS, there have been no significant increa ses in the time it takes
to settle public safety contracts;
WHEREAS, binding arbitration undermines local negotiation and encourages
foot-dragging by the disputing parties;
WHEREAS, firefighters and police in small towns and metropolitan areas
alike have kept abreast of, 'or surpassed, national salary levels;
WHEREAS, despite 2 1/2, Massachusetts police and fire departments are
amply staffed. Some Massachusetts towns have 75% more than the national average
number of firefighters per capita for towns their size;
WHEREAS, it allows unelected, outside, third-parties to determine wages,
hours and conditions of employment for police and fire services;
WHEREAS, the executive branch of government is obligated to support$xe
binding arbitration award; the executive branch is therefore prohibited from presenting
to the town meeting or city council the arguments against accepting a binding arbitration
award;
WHEREAS, reinstating binding arbitration, would be the first breach of
' Proposition 2 1/2 and is contrary to the voters overwhelming rejection of it;
RESOLUTION NO. TR-86-9
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(Continued)
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Agawam Town
Council that it expresses its opposition to Massachusetts House Bill
No. 863 Binding Arbitration for Police and Fire Departments and hereby
instructs the Council Clerk to forward copies of this resolution to our
legislative delegation in the General Court.
DATED
TE this firth day .of Linrch , 119$6.
_�
Andrew C. Galla own Council President
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IPApproved as to form and legality:
R 1ph L. Atkins, Esquire
Town Solicitor 0�, ti� _�� QkLt-�
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