NEPBA WINS ARBITRATION ON BEHALF OF METHUEN POLICE DISPATCHERS OF NEPBA LOCAL 117
Attorney Thomas Horgan recently won an arbitration decision on behalf of the Methuen Police Dispatchers of NEPBA Local 117. The grievant is an active NEPBA member, and a 16- year employee of the Methuen Police Department. On June 15, 2016 the City issued the Dispatcher a five (5) day suspension for her handling of a 911 call on June 5, 2016. Following a step 1-grievance hearing the City’s hearing officer concluded that two of the five administrative violations against the Dispatcher were to be dismissed as unfounded. Despite the hearing officers initial grievance decision the City nevertheless moved forward with a five day suspension.
The NEPBA and Local 117, represented by Attorney Horgan, brought the matter to arbitration. The arbitrator resoundingly rejected the reasons offered up by a host of the City’s top high-ranking officers, many of whom testified at the hearing. The arbitrator concluded that the claimed reasons, given under oath by management, did not support a five-day suspension. The arbitrator instead concluded that the Dispatcher had not been disciplined for just cause and ordered that her suspension be reduced from five days to two days and that she be made whole for all lost wages and benefits to which she was entitled.