Town of Saugus v. Saugus Police Superior Officers Union

**Police Overtime Dispute: Town Authority Upheld** This case involved a disagreement between the Town of Saugus and its police supervisors' union over mandatory overtime assignments. The union challenged the police chief's authority to require officers to work extra hours during emergencies and for public safety needs. The union wanted this issue resolved through arbitration, a process where a neutral third party makes binding decisions about workplace disputes. The court ruled in favor of the town, deciding that the police chief has the legal authority to order mandatory overtime for public safety reasons without union interference. The court found that this authority cannot be challenged through arbitration because it involves essential government functions. This applies whether the chief declares an emergency ahead of time or responds to urgent situations as they develop. **What this means for workers:** This ruling establishes that certain public safety decisions are beyond union negotiation, even when they affect working conditions. For police officers and other public safety workers, it means management retains significant control over scheduling during emergencies. While unions can still negotiate many workplace issues, they cannot override government authority when public safety is at stake.