VETO MESSAGE
I have vetoed R-18-102, which is a union contract covering about 16 civilian
employees submitted by the Police Commission to the Board of Aldermen. J will
call R-18-102 the “Civilian Contract”. It was approved by the Board of Aldermen
on December 23, 2019.
To begin, I want to emphasize that in the combined 11 years I have served as
Nashua’s Mayor I have previously vetoed only two actions by the Board of
Aldermen. When we have been in disagreement, my approach has always been to
discuss issues and to try to reach mutually acceptable compromise. My aim has
always been to work with the Board unless the action taken is not in my analysis in
the best interests of our taxpayers or our citizens.
I am issuing this veto to protect the citizens of Nashua from tax increase while I
am mindful and appreciative of the outstanding service that all employees of the
Nashua Police Department provide to our great City.
As I expressed to the Board of Aldermen, I also opposed R-19-194 covering police
supervisors, which IJ will call the “Supervisors Contract”. Both contracts include
multiple 3% raises - which exceed the 2% cost of living - at a time when City
health care costs are rising rapidly. In addition, agreeing to a series of 3% raises
for two unions creates a troublesome precedent for other City negotiations.
Increasing wages by 3% year after year will build budgets which are not
sustainable.
The Board of Aldermen passed both contracts on 15-0 votes.
I am vetoing the Civilian Contract because in my opinion it is the more
objectionable of the two contracts. First, the amended version of the Civilian
Contract has upped total raises to 11.25% over 4 years while the original version
submitted to the Board of Aldermen included raises of only 9.5%. Second, the
Civilian Contract expands the City’s unused sick leave obligation. Additionally,
the Police Department has said it is down uniformed police officers and has
suggested that pay may be part of the reason. I have let the Supervisors Contract
become law without my signature.
In vetoing only one of the two contracts, I hope the Board of Aldermen will
consider my rationale for vetoing the Civilian Contract.
