It's historically unprecedented and causing shock waves to ripple around the nation. If the Boston police union does not have a contract by the time the Democratic National Convention comes to that city in late July, thousands of law enforcement officers from all around the country have pledged to come to the DNC Convention and walk a picket line with their brother and sister officers. The Boston Police Patrol-men's Association put out a dramatic call for help to their brother and sister officers around the country, and that call has been answered. Cops from New York City to Houston, from Detroit to Los Angeles, have pledged to come to Boston in late July to show solidarity and support to their Boston brethren. Boston cops have asked their fellow officers to picket the DNC and protest the Mayor's disregard for public safety and his disrespect for the 32 city unions who are working without a contract.It is the first time that police officers around the country have banded together in such a dramatic way.

While Boston Mayor Thomas Menino claims there is no money in the budget for raises, the police union isn't buying it. Boston's balance sheet shows nearly half a billion dollars collecting interest in a so-called "unreserved" fund and union leaders are determined to get that money in the form of overdue pay raises for their members.Tom Nee is president of the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association (BPPA) and the 250,000-member National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO). Nee said the response to his call for help from officers around the nation has been amazing. "When a cop needs assistance, nothing will stop a police officer from rushing to help," Nee said. "We called out to our brother and sister officers to come to our aid and they have responded. We are particularly grateful to the amazing outpouring of support from NAPO members, many of whom called and said they would walk to Boston this July if that's what they had to do to stand side by side with us." Jake Jacobsen, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, flew to Boston to support his colleagues in Boston. When asked why he would take the risk of walking a picket line that Senator John Kerry would be reluctant to cross, he said, "He can still get the nomination. He can get it right here out on the street. He'll be better off." "As police officers we are obligated by oath to protect the citizens of our nation," Nee said. "As it stands today, the Boston Department is severely understaffed. Recently we witnessed the result of Mayor Menino's cuts to public safety when riots erupted during a Super Bowl celebration. Now, as the Democratic National Convention comes to town, Boston will order mandatory overtime shifts, requiring our members to work additional shifts during the convention."Mayor Menino has systematically alienated all 32 public employee unions, creating tremendous unrest in the labor community.

"Menino has squirreled away nearly half a billion dollars in a reserve fund, while those charged with maintaining and protecting the city go ignored," Nee says. "The Boston Police Patrolmen's Association membership have been working without a contract since July of 2002 and the mayor has not settled contracts with 32 city public employee unions."

The BPPA president says the Mayor appears to be leading the National Democratic Party into a maelstrom of union protests, widespread demonstrations and general unrest. "He is jeopardizing public safety to put himself in the international spotlight and leave a lasting legacy. Labor unrest in the City of Boston could not be any more certain and his legacy will prove to be a stain upon our City's distinguished history," Nee said.The Boston Mayor's response to threats from the police union have been mystifying at best. After the union's press conference, where the BPPA leadership were flanked by other police union presidents from around the country, Menino made several inflammatory statements insinuating that the BPPA would just make a fool of themselves if they carried through with their threats to protest. When he told reporters that "only 18 percent of the people in this country belong to a union, and that number goes down every day," he brought on the wrath of the leadership of the AFL-CIO, who issued a statement that maybe the Democrats better find a city without so much labor unrest to have their convention. Menino's was the first mayor in Boston's history snubbed at the Greater Boston Labor Council's traditional Labor Day Breakfast in 2003. On January 13th, with temperatures hovering around zero degrees, over 5,000 city union workers picketed his State of the City address.

Police officers from across the country have begun phoning their local delegates and party officials to inform them that entering the Convention Center will be seen as crossing a picket line if Boston police do not have their contract settled by then. Thousands of police from scores of states have said they will come to Boston to show their solidarity with Boston officers.In Illinois, more than 150 officers have put in for vacation time in late July so they can join the protest, according to Sean Smoot, director of the Illinois Police Benevolent and Protective Association. "If they cross a picket line, they'll be doing it through us or over us," Smoot said.

"There will be an expectation that the line will not be crossed," Nee said. "I know Democrats don't do that. That's their protocol." Nee says he has little hope that the contract will be settled before July. The two sides have not held a bargaining session since November, and Menino seems more resolved than ever not to bargain in good faith. Pat Lynch, president of the PBA of New York City, the nation's largest police union, said his organization will support Boston in its protest against the Mayor. "As police officers, we are committed to public safety and we are bound by duty to help our fellow officers in trouble," Lynch said. "As the DNC descends on Boston, we will stand side by side with our Boston brethren in protest of a Mayor who has no respect for unions and no concern for the safety of Boston residents." Michael Palladino, president of the 6,000-member Detectives Endowment Association of New York City, said his members would come to Boston to show their support. "New York is hosting the Republican National Convention and we know about the difficulties of preparing for such an immense event with reduced police manpower," he said. "The New York City Detectives Endowment Association will join with Boston and other police organizations around the nation to protest Mayor Menino's assault on public policy."

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