By Alan Keays, VTDigger
RUTLAND—Rutland’s former mayor who was ousted from office earlier this year has landed a new job. Christopher Louras, who served five two-year terms as the city’s top elected official, is working for the union organization, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Louras lost reelection to the post of mayor on Town Meeting Day in March in a four-way race to David Allaire, a veteran member of the city’s Board of Aldermen. He blamed his election defeat on his support of a plan to resettle refugees from Syria and Iraq in the city.
Rutland Mayor David Allaire said Monday it would be an issue if Louras took part in any union negotiations with the city involving AFSCME, since the former mayor had been on the administrative side of those negotiations in the past. AFSCME represents employees in the city’s Department of Public Works, the mayor said.
“I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it,” Allaire added. “It does raise some concerns on its face, that’s for sure.”
Allaire said he believed that Louras’ new job carried statewide responsibilities. “Whether or not he’d be involved in anything here in Rutland is an open question,” Allaire said.
Louras, contacted Monday, referred all questions or comments to Steve Lyons, AFSCME Council 93 coordinator for New Hampshire and Vermont. Lyons did not return a phone call Monday seeking comment.
AFSCME Council 93, according to the organization’s website, has more than 9,500 members in 46 Vermont bargaining units. In addition, the union serves 800 employees in New Hampshire, the website states.
