Menino Urges Council To Reject Police Patrolmen's Contract Award

Mayor Thomas Menino is urging the Boston City Council to reject the ruling of an arbitrator who has awarded police patrolmen a 25 percent raise over six years.

Menino tells The Boston Globe the contract would cost taxpayers $80 million and the city cannot afford it.

The City Council must approve the award. If it does not accept it, then both sides will return to negotiations.

The mayor is critical of recent decisions by arbitrators that he believes have favored unions.

Meanwhile, one of the candidates seeking to succeed Menino is criticizing the mayor for the way he has handled contract talks.

State Rep. Martin Walsh released a statement Saturday morning that says Menino has "pursued irresponsible negotiating tactics."

Walsh describes the award as "out of line" and "unsustainable."

After the arbitrator's decision was announced Friday night, mayoral candidate and Boston City Councilor John Connolly said he will hold meetings to fully assess the situation before commenting further.