Union: Dozens of Massachusetts troopers resign over vaccine mandate
Dozens of state troopers in Massachusetts have resigned as a result of the state's COVID-19 vaccination mandate, a key union said Monday.
State Police Association President Michael Cherven made the announcement in a statement, adding that some troopers had intentions of moving to departments that offered "reasonable alternatives such as mask wearing and regular testing."
In August, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) issued an executive order requiring all executive department employees show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination by Oct. 17.
Last week, a judge ruled that the vaccine mandate would not be delayed despite a request from the State Police Association of Massachusetts.
"We are disappointed in the judge’s ruling; however, we respect her decision," Cherven said in a statement responding to the ruling. "It is unfortunate that the Governor and his team have chosen to mandate one of the most stringent vaccine mandates in the country with no reasonable alternatives."
"Just to be clear, this is not an anti-vaccine thing," Cherven said to The Hill. "Myself, my entire executive board, we're vaccinated."
Cherven said he spoke to a young trooper on Sunday in an effort to talk him out of resigning over the mandate.
"I tried to talk him out of it. I told him that I thought he should get the shot, but he just doesn't want to do it," Cherven said. "We have to respect his rights. We are an association. We fight for everyone, and we just want a reasonable alternative."
Cherven added that the State Police were "critically short staffed."
About 20 percent of State Police employees are not vaccinated, the union’s attorney told a local Boston CBS affiliate station.
Comment(s)