Interesting Sidelight to Coming Blizzard
Find a Conversation
| Fri, 12-05-2003 - 1:42pm |
==========================================================================================
Plow Dispute Continues As Snow Moves In
Snowplow Drivers Balk At State's GPS Proposal
POSTED: 12:22 p.m. EST December 5, 2003
UPDATED: 12:48 p.m. EST December 5, 2003
BOSTON -- As the first major storm of the winter season approaches, private snowplow contractors who clear Massachusetts highways are still in a dispute with the state over the issue of global positioning-equipped phones.
NewsCenter 5's David Boeri reported that representatives from both sides met behind closed doors Friday morning, but it's not clear whether the issue will be settled before Saturday's forecasted snowstorm.
Thursday night, a group of 1,100 private snowplow contractors voted not to carry the GPS-equipped phones.
"Council voted unanimously that they will not carry the GPS. If Massachusetts Highway (Department) required the GPS as part of this weekend's snowplowing activity, (the drivers) will not respond," said the snowplow drivers' attorney John Slattery.
The state wants every snowplow driver to carry a Nextel phone equipped with GPS for tracking and accounting purposes. The state claims it will have plenty of drivers and equipment if the drivers are not willing to drive.
Outside his law office Friday morning, Slattery said the terms and conditions of the GPS phones must be negotiated before any drivers carry them.
"If (the state) calls our members, they will come out and plow. They just will not carry the GPS. The 2003 contract doesn't require it," said Slattery.
The new contract requiring GPS would take effect Jan. 1.
In addition to the GPS dispute, Slattery said there are other issues to be settled before signing a new contract with the state, including timeliness of payment and compensation for travel times.
Copyright 2003 by TheBostonChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
