Aug 4, 2023
Former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order requiring all executive branch employees to provide proof of vaccination by October 2021 or face disciplinary action, including possible termination.
Eleven Massachusetts State Troopers and one sergeant were fired in April over their refusal to get vaccinated. Their termination came nearly eight months after the vaccine mandate was put into place.
On Friday, an arbitrator ruled in favor of the troopers, resulting in seven of them being given the option to be reinstated.
According to the police union, as part of the award handed down by the arbitrator, the state police must contact all impacted troopers to offer them their previous positions with full back pay retroactive to their initial suspension.
They have also been awarded their full seniority rights and all benefits minus any interim earnings and/or unemployment compensation, according to the union news release.