August 19, 2008
Seacoast Online

GREENLAND — A date has been tentatively scheduled for a hearing to determine if police department employees will be allowed to form a union.

Town Administrator Karen Anderson said the matter is scheduled to go before the Public Employees Labor Relations Board at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

“At that time both sides will present their case,” Anderson said.

In July, 10 police department employees, through Teamsters Local 633 of New Hampshire, petitioned the Public Employees Labor Relations Board, asking to unionize. The group includes four full-time officers, four part-time officers, one detective and one administrative assistant.

Police Chief Michael Maloney and one administrative sergeant are not included in the petition.

Early this month, the Board of Selectmen filed an objection to the police request to certify a bargaining unit. Now it will be up to the PELRB to decide.

After filing an objection, Selectman Paul Sanderson said the board could not comment further on its choice to oppose the union. He said doing so could be considered an unfair labor practice.

Teamsters agent Thomas Noonan will represent the police department employees.