Politics & Government
Council 4 AFSCME Comments on Cheshire Settlements
Union Concerned About Town Clerk's Actions
The union representing Cheshire Town Hall Employees today confirmed recent settlement agreements concerning the actions of Town Clerk Laura Brennan.
Earlier this year, Council 4 filed a Municipal Prohibited Practice (MPP) complaint against the Town of Cheshire on behalf of AFSCME Local 1303-374, which represents approximately 50 Town Hall Employees. In the complaint, Council 4 stated that Brennan “continues to violate the [Municipal Employees Relations Act] by discriminating [against], coercing and intimidating a Town of Cheshire employee.”
Local 1303-374 also filed a companion grievance on behalf of the same Town of Cheshire employee regarding violation of language in the collective bargaining agreement that proscribes “discrimination, coercion or intimidation of any kind against any employee of the Town for any reason whatsoever.”
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Click here to read the MPP.
Under the supervision of the Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations, the parties reached an agreement in May under which Council 4 and Local 1303-374 settled both the MPP and the grievance. Due to the fact that the Town Clerk is an elected position, the Town's hands are tied in giving her any type of disciplinary action.
Find out what's happening in Cheshirefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Kevin Murphy, who serves as Council 4’s Director of Collective Bargaining and Organizing, offered the following comment:
“Clearly, the Town Clerk has exhibited troubling behavior patterns that are damaging to morale and to the department’s mission. We believe this settlement marks an important first step toward achieving fair and respectful treatment of dedicated Cheshire town employees in accordance with the law. We will continue to monitor the situation and make sure the Town fully complies with this settlement.”
Since taking office in January 2016, the Town Clerk's Office has been through four Assistant Town Clerks and currently has a vacancy, as there are no Assistants left in the office. All former Assistant Town Clerks have moved to positions in other Town departments. Council 4 believes this raises an important question about the workplace culture within the Town Clerk's Office.
