Mayor Sarno states, “I am happy to announce that our brave and dedicated police officers and supervisors have approved the merit bonus pay for their Unions. I am very appreciative of IBPO President Joe Gentile and Supervisors President Captain Brian Keenan for continuing to work together with my Administration, Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood and Human Resource and Labor Relations Director Attorney William Mahoney to get this done. There has been no one more supportive of our public safety divisions than myself and my Administration. I have an obligation to our taxpayers to adhere to collective bargaining laws and HR statues, and spend our money wisely and carefully. To those City Councilors (Hurst, Whitfield, Davila and Walsh), again their antics is nothing more than political grandstanding at its worst in an election year.”
Police Supervisors Association President Captain Keenan said, “On behalf of the Springfield Police Supervisors Association, I thank Mayor Sarno for his unwavering support of public safety during this pandemic. I also thank Congressman Neal for his work in Washington to deliver these funds to our City. I thank both the Mayor and the Congressman for recognizing that the men and women of the SPD have shown up and will continue to show up each and every day to protect our City and its residents for the duration of this pandemic and thereafter. This COVID merit stipend is deeply-appreciated by our members and their families.”
City Council President Marcus Williams stated, "This is terrific news for our dedicated members of the Springfield Police IBPO and Supervisors Association. As Council President, I want to thank Mayor Sarno, his Administration and our dedicated Unions for continuing to work together to secure this merit bonus pay MOU's for our dedicated city employees who have gone above and beyond throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We should celebrate that the City of Springfield is one, if not the only municipality in the Commonwealth currently extending and issuing merit bonus pay. I am looking forward to continuing to work together with the Administration and our Union leadership so that our deserving city employees receive the merit bonus pay they rightfully deserve.”