COURT HOUSE – On Oct. 1, 2013, The Township of Middle was advised via email that PBA Local No. 59 – Middle Township Unit has voted overwhelming to accept the Memorandum of Agreement as executed between the Township and Local No. 59 last week. Should, during the drafting process, minor language appear that needs clarification, the PBA is open to clarifying that language for the better understanding of both parties.
At this time, the Memorandum is under review by the Township’s Labor Counsel, a vote on the new contract will be scheduled, pending this final review.
According to Township Administrator Constance Mahon, the Township is pleased with the final results of the negotiations. Due to attrition and the new wage guide, the cost for the currently employed police officers will remain nearly the same upon the expiration of this contract on Dec. 31, 2015 as was paid as of Dec. 31, 2012.
“The Township’s goal was to reach an agreement that is fair and equitable to both our Police Department and the taxpayers of Middle Township.” Mahon said. “The negotiations were amicable and professional. We were glad to hear that our police officers overwhelmingly approved the contract. On behalf of Township Committee, I would like to recognize the PBA negotiating committee for its hard work”.
Upon final adoption by the Township Committee, the parties will retroactively implement a new wage guide with nineteen (19) equalized steps effective Jan. 1, 2013. The unified Wage Guide will increase by 1.6% on each Jan. 1 of the three (3) years contract. Further, the parties agreed in principle commencing on Jan. 1, 2014 to reduce the long-term obligation for accumulated sick leave by permitting employees to annually sell back a portion of earned sick leave at a reduced rate, provided they forfeit 1.5 times the sick leave submitted for buyback.
In exchange for the new step guidelines and annual salary increases, the PBA agreed to a change to the current health benefit plan that will help to reduce the annual increases in Township healthcare costs. Any reduction in the Township’s cost would also reduce the employees required contributions as established by P.L. 2011, Chapter 78 of the laws of New Jersey.
“We saw our costs for health care increase 35% in 2013 alone,” Mahon said. “It was essential to Township Committee that we find a way to address the rising cost of healthcare in this contract”.
The pending healthcare changes could affect other current employees and retirees as well. Mayor Dan Lockwood said the Township is sensitive to the concerns of employees and taxpayers alike.
“Middle Township, like many municipalities in New Jersey, is attempting to revamp local health care programs to mirror the state health care plan revisions,“ Mayor Lockwood said. “We must strike a balance between the high quality healthcare our employees deserve and the burden to be borne by municipal taxpayers. The cost of increased health care is a nationwide concern and forces the taxpayers to solely bear the entire ever-increasing burden. We are committed to providing quality health care to Township employees, but the increasing costs of such health care benefits must be equitably balanced between employees and taxpayers of the Township”.
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Do you think it's appropriate for BLM to call for "Burning down the city" and "Black Vigilantes" because…
