'Outrageous': Baker's denial of vaccine waivers riles state police union as 12 troopers on the verge of being terminated

In a press release shared late Saturday, the State Police Association of Massachusetts — or SPAM, the union representing more than 2,000 state police men and women — said 12 troopers, including a 17-year veteran of the force already suffering from Bell's Palsy from a previous vaccination, are on the verge of losing their jobs as a result of the Gov. Charlie Baker administration's denial of COVID-19 vaccine exemptions.

"(Friday) night, under the cover of darkness, and days after the vaccine mandate went into effect, at least a dozen Massachusetts State Troopers were informed they would need to be vaccinated or face termination," the SPAM release said.

Michael F. Cherven, SPAM president, called the Baker administration's move "outrageous."

"Governor Baker's administration admits that some members have a legitimate, medically necessary reason for not receiving a vaccination," Cherven said in the release. "Instead of offering the same reasonable accommodations that municipalities and states across the country are offering, Governor Baker is showing these decorated veterans the door. This is outrageous."

In August, Baker signed a mandate that required all state employees — some 42,000 — be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have secured a medical or religious exemption by Oct. 17, or face being terminated from employment.

In response, SPAM filed a lawsuit in September stating that Baker's original Oct. 17 deadline for executive branch employees to receive their first dose of the vaccine would cause "irreparable harm" to state troopers who wanted additional time to "negotiate the terms and conditions of their employment."

Late last month, Judge Jackie Cowin denied a SPAM's request to delay Baker's state employee coronavirus vaccine mandate.

More: State police union: Dozens of troopers plan to quit after judge upholds vaccine mandate

After the decision, the state police union said, "dozens of troopers have already submitted their resignation paperwork, some of whom plan to return to other departments offering reasonable alternatives such as mask wearing and regular testing."

Late Friday night, after learning of the Baker administration's response, SPAM posted on its Facebook page that 12 members, including six troopers and six sergeants, would have to make the choice between getting the vaccine or being terminated from the force.

"Previously these public servants had requested exemptions of either medical or religious reasons, instead of providing reasonable alternatives our state's leadership has chosen to throw our dedicated member's years of service and sacrifice to the Commonwealth out the window," the Facebook post said. "Over and over again we have attempted to work with our elected officials to bridge this gap and find alternatives for our members. Tonight the message from the Governor's Office was clear; regardless of your religion, your health or the safety of the public, the vaccine mandate is absolute."

SPAM said the lack of accommodations will likely lead to hundreds of Massachusetts State Police troopers being terminated.

"Over 85% of troopers have been vaccinated, while others have been denied the reasonable accommodations of wearing a mask and weekly testing," Cherven said in the release. "Whoever is making these decisions would rather usher out centuries worth of experience in order to implement his mandate while knowing that his decisions are exacerbating an already critical shortage of state troopers."

More: State police add 168 troopers to ranks with ceremony at DCU Center in Worcester

The press release pointed to Sgt. Stephen Candito as an example.

Candito, a 17-year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police who serves on the Gang Unit, was denied a medical waiver for the vaccine.

"Late Friday night, Sgt. Candito was informed that his medical waiver had been denied even though he had shown sufficient evidence that receiving the vaccine would be detrimental to his health," the SPAM press release said.

The release explained that while Candito was serving in the Air Force, he received a vaccination that caused a severe reaction, resulting in Bell's palsy.

"Since then, he has a well-documented history of vaccine waivers from some of the most prestigious hospitals in the world," the release said. "This includes Walter Reed Medical Center (in Washington, D.C.)."

The press release also explained that Candito's initial waiver was a "clear case of a necessary medical waiver," according to his supervisors, and that he had "preliminary approval that would require mask wearing and weekly testing."

"On Friday night at 8:30 p.m., he received an email notifying him that without a vaccination he would face discipline up to and including termination," the release said.

Added Cherven: "These willful attacks on public safety personnel and the continued rushed planning around the COVID-19 pandemic is putting lives at risk."

"The State Police Association of Massachusetts supports vaccinations. President Cherven and the entire executive board are vaccinated," the release concluded. "At issue is the Governor's failure to properly allow for any reasonable accommodations other than termination."

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