RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – Contract negotiations between the city of Rutland and the police union have broken down after union officials say an alderman — and mayoral candidate — made disparaging comments about the department.
Rutland Alderman Henry Heck said in videotaped comments obtained by WCAX that the police union wants to be “paid for 60 hours and work 40 hours.”
Several people brought up the disparaging comments at Monday’s Board of Alderman meeting, including Rutland Police Chief Brian Kilcullen, who called them untrue and irresponsible.
“They deserve to be compensated, but again, they’re not being unreasonable in some of the things they’ve asked for. But that was certainly not one of them — to request 60 hours paid for 40 hours work. That fact was untrue and it was inflammatory and that was really concerning,” he said.
Alderman Heck did not respond immediately to calls to comment on his remarks.