Massachusetts troopers sue state over alleged violations of Paid Family and Medical Leave Act – WCVB Boston

Five state troopers claim their department is violating the state Paid Family and Medical Leave Act by punishing them for taking time off during times of need, according to a lawsuit filed in Suffolk Superior Court Wednesday.According to the class-action lawsuit, troopers who have taken time off for the birth of a child under the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Act have lost their seniority, impacting their shift picks, work locations, vacations and retirement in violation of the state law passed last year.“The purpose of this law was to make sure that parents can take the leave that they can afford to take a little time off from work to be with their newborn child, and they can’t suffer any repercussions in the workplace for having done that,” said Attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan, who represents the troopers.The lawsuit was filed on a somber day as Trooper Tamar Bucci was laid to rest. She died after she was hit by a truck while on duty in Stoneham.One of the plaintiffs, Trooper Cynthia Pham, says when she takes family leave in a few weeks for the birth of her second child, her seniority will drop drastically, and she will be unable to pay into her retirement or accrue time.“It was very unfortunate that the day the troopers were coming together to say goodbye to one of their own in a very moving and touching ceremony was at the same time in which we’ve been seeing this issue with the state police not supporting its own, not following our laws,” Liss-Riordan said.The allegations come at a time when the department is trying to increase the number of female and minority troopers to reflect the communities they serve. In 2020, 88% of the sworn members were white, and 95% were male. Minorities accounted for 12% and women only 5%.The troopers’ union, the State Police Association of Massachusetts, said in a statement, “It is unconscionable that the Baker Administration would punish Troopers for using legally protected time off to tend to serious medical, family, or personal issues.”“There’s no point in having these types of laws and protections if employees don’t feel that they can use it freely without suffering repercussions,” Liss-Riordan said. “We’re really, frankly, shocked that the way they’re implementing paid family and medical leave is violating Massachusetts law. And that’s just not right. The state needs to do the right thing.”The troopers’ lawyer also said the family leave issue has a greater impact on female troopers, who are more likely to use the benefit. The state police declined comment, citing the pending litigation.