Civil Service Decisions

Due to a remand from the Appeals Court that vacated the Commission’s decision to alter a discharge decision of a New Bedford Airport worker, the Commission found a discrepancy between its statement of facts and final ruling in the original decision regarding the Appellant’s previous discipline.

The Commission declined to reopen the case of the discharged paramedic who was found to have not been able to establish a violation of his civil service rights that would entitle him to reinstatement. The Appellant's authorization to practice as a paramedic was revoked for repeated mistakes on the job.

The Commission concluded it did have jurisdiction to hear the appeal of a Dracut Housing Authority employee who was demoted. The Commission interpreted the term “involuntary separation” in provisions that covered housing authorities at G.L. c. 121B, §29 to also include demotions.

The Commission voided the 4-day tour of duty suspension handed down to a Caucasian Charlestown firefighter after he made racially insensitive remarks. The Commission found the firefighter was singled out for discipline where a superior lieutenant and other firefighters also contributed a hostile working environment.

The Commission dismissed the appeal of a Boston police officer who was seeking to void her resignation, on the grounds that it was coerced. It was dismissed due to a lack of timeliness as she failed to file within ten days of being on full notice of the claim she had been bringing forth and was fully able to do so.

The commission found no issue in the City of Pittsfield’s termination of a Water and Sewer employee after he took an unauthorized leave when he had already exhausted all of his accrued leave and was denied additional time off. The employee also neglected to maintain various licenses required by law for his position.

A Methuen Public Schools maintenance worker appealed his discharge. Because the record was clear that he had been charged and convicted after assaulting his spouse, violating a restraining order, and on drug charges, the commission summarily dismissed his appeal on these incontestable facts.