Township, PBA Reach Contract Accord

The township and police union have settled their contract dispute, township officials announced today.

After a protracted negotiation that most recently was in mediation, the members of PBA Local 261 and the Township Committee have agreed on a pact that is retroactive to 2008 and runs through 2014. The last contract with police expired at the end of 2007, and discussions had been ongoing during closed sessions of the Township Committee in recent months.

Under the agreement, the rank-and-file officers who make up the PBA will have to pay into their health benefits. Single coverage will cost officers $480; those with a dependent, such as a child or spouse, will pay $600; and it will cost officers $720 yearly for family coverage.

The new contract offers the members of the PBA an average 2.71 percent salary increase over the life of the deal. Going forward, officers will see a 2.5 percent boost in 2010; a 3 percent hike in 2011; a 2.75 percent increase in 2012; a 2.5 percent raise in 2013; and a 2.75 percent boost in 2014. The deal shows 2008 and 2009 raises at 3 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively.

The contract calls for the addition of two more salary steps, bringing the total to 10, before an officer reaches the top of the pay scale, which is set at $108,114 in 2010. 

A sticking point during negotiations had been the PBA's desire for 12-hour workdays, which they will not get under the new contract. 

A statement issued by the township noted that the accord was reached with the help of a mediator from the Public Employment Relations Commission, which saved the township approximately $30,000 in potential arbitration costs. Additionally, "this contract reflects a wage increase that slows down the growth of salaries," the release stated.