Left to Right: Boston City Council President Ed Flynn, Local 888 unit President Mije Shackford, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox.

President Tom McKeever met with Boston City Council President Ed Flynn at Boston Police headquarters to hear directly from the 888 members regarding understaffing and mandated shifts by the department. When signing into a shift, workers are often told they will be working 16 hours not their regular 8 shift. This is a regular occurrence despite obligations for childcare and elder care.

"Our members are working full 40-hour work weeks and getting mandated to an additional 3 to 5 shifts per week. This has created a mandated schedule of 80 to 90 hours a week, and this must change," said President Tom McKeever. Urging immediate action, President McKeever has employed direct street actions including demonstrations at police headquarters and hand billing at precincts throughout Boston. “Leaving these critical positions vacant continues to strain an already burnt-out workforce and is putting the safety and lives of the citizens of Boston directly in harm’s way. If we stay on this current trajectory, the 35,000 missed calls will be a baseline that will only increase," said McKeever.

Councilor Flynn has been a staunch advocate of the working people of Boston and visited Boston Police headquarters to listen to Boston residents and bring these issues back to the Boston city council. Council President Flynn spoke to operations commanders and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox regarding understaffing and asked what the department plans are to address this problem. Flynn and McKeever asked the police commissioner to vow towards improving this employment vacuum and to act now.

"Local 888 will continue to demonstrate, speak at council hearings and fight on behalf of these valued members that provide the important constituent services that are so vital to the city. The Boston Police Department must do better,” said President McKeever.