Taxpayers shouldn't have to pay to ensure sober firefighters
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IN HIS May 29 letter "Mayoral candidate proud of union nod," Boston City Councilor Michael Flaherty claims that the delay in bringing drug and alcohol testing to the fire department is not due to any disagreement by firefighters but by "the current mayor's inability to establish and implement this policy."
Flaherty's claim is both inaccurate and inconsistent with basic municipal labor law. Unfortunately, the mayor does not have the authority to unilaterally impose a drug and alcohol policy. It must be negotiated. The firefighters have indicated repeatedly that they will only agree to such a policy in exchange for additional compensation. The city's view is that Boston taxpayers should not have to pay firefighters extra to ensure that they show up for work unimpaired by drugs or alcohol.
PAUL CURRAN, Deputy director of labor relations, City of Boston
