Union prez barred from Lynn, MA fire stations
A drama is unfolding in Lynn, MA. According to ItemLive.com Chief James Carritte has banned Lt. Matthew Reddy, president of IAFF Local 739, from all department property. The department is investigating allegations against Reddy outlined in the excerpt below:
A copy of the July 8 letter from Carritte to Reddy, which was obtained by The Item, states in part, “The Fire Department has filed serious charges against you. Included in these charges is a charge that you have threatened, harassed and attempted to intimidate an employee of this department. Given the grievous nature of these charges and the fact that they are similar to charges filed against you in 2007, you are hereby placed on administrative leave with pay.”
Reddy’s leave was effective July 9.
The letter stated that Reddy is prohibited from entering any Lynn fire station or any Fire Department property while on administrative leave unless it is while responding to an emergency. “Should you need to retrieve personal items currently stored on Lynn Fire Department property, you should contact this office to schedule a supervised visit,” the chief wrote.
According to the letter, the allegations against Reddy are under investigation. In the letter, the chief ordered Reddy to keep away from Lt. Thomas Bogart, the department’s training officer.
“You may not take, or conspire with others to take, any action that could be construed as retaliatory against Lt. Bogart or any other members of the Lynn Fire Department,” Carritte wrote.
