TOWN OF EVANS, N.Y. -- The Evans Police Union is accusing Town Supervisor Mary Hosler of changing their schedules out of spite.
They claim Hosler made the changes because contract negotiations weren't going her way.
The PBA President says officers were told about the changes during a contract negotiation session last month.
Speakers at Wednesday's town board meeting said this isn't just a matter of convenience — they say the change could end up costing the town in a big way.
PBA President Patrick Atler says officers were abruptly told last month during a negotiating session that the town is switching their schedules to five, eight-hour days per week.
The schedule they've worked for nine years has them on 12-hour shifts that allowed them to alternate weekends off.
Former Police Chief Ernest Masullo told the board the schedules went into effect when he took over leadership of the department.
He says it helped cut overtime costs by 75 percent and improve quality of life for officers.
"We came in with highest hopes that we can get a mutually beneficial contract for the Town and the PBA. We wanted to stay on par with other agencies that were nearby jurisdictions because we don't want to lose our good officers. They might want to transfer somewhere else where they get better benefits and everything," said Atler.
"We do not negotiate any contract in public, and issues change minute by minute and hour by hour, therefore, I will not comment on negotiations," said Evans Supervisor Mary Hosler.
Atler says the department's health insurance was also recently changed without negotiations.
He said during the meeting that the union is planning legal action, but they don't want to go that route — they'd like to continue negotiations in good faith if possible.
The department's previous contract expired at the end of last year.
The union says the next step is bringing in a mediator to help with negotiations.