By Elisabeth J. Beardsley, The Boston Herald
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino is arguing that promised police pickets during the Democratic convention will threaten the public safety - a claim the cops dismissed as rank politicking.
City brass yesterday urged a state board to step in and quickly settle the nasty contract dispute, which is entering its third year.
The mayor told reporters cops won’t be fresh enough to provide top-notch security if they report straight to the picket lines after working lengthy shifts protecting the convention.
``When are they going to rest?’' Menino asked. ``It’s not about politics at all. It’s about public safety.’'
The mayor’s expression of concern for the cops’ well-being left union officials incredulous and howling ``political hypocrisy.’'
``Spare us the crocodile tears,’' said Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association President Thomas Nee, adding Menino just doesn’t want to be embarrassed by planned pickets at his delegate parties.
After taking testimony from both sides yesterday, the state Joint Labor-Management Committee plans to meet again Thursday to decide whether to send the dispute to third-party arbitration.