McKinney Fraternal Order Of Police Files Suit Against City, Police Association
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McKINNEY (CBSDFW.COM) - The McKinney Fraternal Order of Police has filed suit against the city and the McKinney Police Association. Here is the detailed statement from Lodge President, Daniel Malenfant:
McKinney Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 107 has filed a complaint for preliminary and permanent injunctions and declaratory relief against the City of McKinney and McKinney Police Association in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas/Sherman Division. The city and McKinney Police Association have conspired to violate the constitutional rights of our members including violations of the rights to freedom of speech and association, due process of law, and equal protection of the laws.
On July 21, 2015, the City of McKinney and McKinney Police Association consummated the current Meet and Confer contract which was designed to provide wage increases and additional benefits for officers over the next two years. During contract negotiations, those parties agreed to add two articles to the contract which were designed to destroy McKinney Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 107. These articles on their face are an attempt to disband and discriminate against an already established police employee organization. The articles in question include (1) the removal of the FOP bulletin board that had been placed on the wall in the Patrol Division of the PD and (2) the termination of members' right to have their dues withdrawn from their city pay checks. These two issues involve the ability of our members to effectively express their views on matters of public concern. The city has no legitimate reason to suppress their views. When the matter was brought to the attention of city and association leadership, the response was a shocking display of unwillingness to reach an accord with the lodge. The Texas State FOP and National FOP Presidents have also attempted to help foster an agreement with city leadership but were also slighted.
The obvious cronyism and "good ole boy" politics which have plagued this city for years is still just as strong and recurrent as ever. Through tireless efforts by the local lodge, including many unanswered emails, there appears to be no other option but to pursue this matter in federal district court. This course of action was never the goal of the McKinney FOP Lodge.
It is not the intent of the McKinney FOP to take away from the negotiations the McKinney Police Association has done with the City of McKinney and the additional benefits they have obtained for employees. This lodge, which is very active in the McKinney community, is simply asking not to be discriminated against for not being members of the city endorsed organization.