Cop union blue over Deval Patrick’s cost-cut focus
The state police union rebuffed Gov. Deval Patrick’s attempts for cost cutting before an early-morning meeting today, saying Patrick hasn’t acted on easy savings available by reshuffling top brass.
Patrick plans to discuss furloughs and other cost-cutting measures with all state unions this morning to backfill a $600 million revenue shortfall in the budget.
“Someone dropped the ball here, whether it’s in his office or in the executive office of public safety,” said Rick Brown, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts. The union handed in a 20-page report in March detailing up to $13 million in potential savings through reducing the number of management positions.
Terrel Harris, spokesman for the Executive Office of Public Safety, said Secretary Kevin Burke has reviewed the report and may even use some suggestions. He wouldn’t say what those savings are.
Jay Gonzalez, secretary of administration and finance, said the governor is listening to all ideas.
“He is hoping to mitigate layoffs and reduce the need by asking employees to sacrifice through contract provisions,” Gonzalez said.
Patrick sent a letter to union heads Oct. 15 asking them to squeeze savings out of their current contracts.
Patrick has ordered managers to take a nine-day furlough and said he’d cut up to 2,000 state employees to make up the $600 million gap. He’s also asked legislators for expanded cutting powers so he can slash local aid.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view.bg?articleid=1206730
