A Superior Court judge is considering whether to allow the state’s police union more time to negotiate the terms around Gov. Charlie Baker’s vaccine mandate for state employees. If granted, an injunction would effectively exempt state troopers from the vaccine deadline until an agreement is established.
The governor's executive order calls for state employees to be fully vaccinated or to file for an exemption by October 17.
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In a lawsuit filed Friday, the State Police Association of Massachusetts requested an injunction to put the mandate on hold, arguing that the deadline presented unfair bargaining circumstances.
“It's just totally inappropriate to be bargaining with a gun to your head,” Attorney Paul Hynes, who represents the union, said at a hearing Wednesday. “We did not come here to have a referendum on vaccine mandates, that's not what our case is about. ... This is a labor case.”
Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Greaney defended the Baker administration, arguing that the state must be able to implement deadlines in emergencies.
“It just can't be the case that the mere existence of a deadline means that the harm is irreparable,” Greaney said.
Gearney argued that state troopers must be vaccinated in accordance with public safety and the greater good of the entire state.
“The public interest is in protecting not only the members of the State Police Association who do wish to get vaccinated, but all of the members and the general public with whom they interact,” Greaney said.
The one-hour hearing ended without a decision from Suffolk Superior Judge Jackie Cowin, who is “working diligently” to deliver a ruling, according to a statement from a Suffolk Superior Court Clerk.
