|
Robbinsville, PBA Agree to Contract
Mayor Commends Union for Fair Deal in Tough Times
ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. – Mayor Dave Fried today praised PBA Local 344 for reaching a three-year contract with the Township that features cost-sharing on health benefits and a wage freeze for 2010, in recognition of the difficult economic times that Robbinsville faces.
“I want to thank members of the PBA for their understanding and patience,” said Mayor Dave Fried. “It took time to reach this agreement, as we encountered many surprises along the way. Those in charge of Local 344 showed true leadership by putting the long-term needs of their members and the public ahead of short-term interests. They made significant changes to avoid layoffs and keep officers on the road.”
Robbinsville’s negotiations with PBA Local 344 had been under way for months when the Township learned that tax appeals would cause a shortfall of at least $1.7 million in the 2009 budget, which forced both sides back to the bargaining table. The PBA agreed to a wage freeze for 2010, thus avoiding layoffs in the police ranks.
“I was pleased to vote for this contract at last week’s Council meeting,” said Council President Rich Levesque. “Public employees are often accused of not understanding the needs of ordinary citizens, but that is not true of our PBA. Our officers could have made this budget situation difficult, and they chose not to. I encourage every taxpayer: When you see one of our officers on patrol, please say, ‘Thank you.’ ”
The agreement, which covers 2009 through 2011, includes raises of 3.99 percent in 2009, no increase for 2010 and 3.99 percent in 2011, bringing the average annual pay increase to 2.66 percent for the contract period. “These increases are far smaller than those in previous contracts,” said Assistant Business Administrator Joy Tozzi. “The cost-sharing in health care ensures savings not only in the near term, but also in the long-term.”
Patrolman Michael Farrell, president of PBA Local 344, said he was pleased to reach an agreement after being without a contract since December 2008. “We are glad to have reached a settlement that is fair for both sides,” he said. “It’s always a good thing to try to resolve things amicably, and we did just that.”
Patrolman Farrell noted that negotiations were more difficult than they were in previous years, particularly on the issue of health care contributions. “We recognize the economic shortfall our township is currently facing, and ultimately we work for the taxpayers of Robbinsville,” he said.
Health care changes in the new contract include:
- Premium sharing equal to 1 percent of salary starting in 2010.
- An increase in the basic co-payment for a doctor’s office visit, from $10 to $20.
- An increase in an emergency room co-payment, from $25 to $50.
- An increase in prescription co-payments.
- Additional premium sharing for PBA members who select health plans that allow more out-of-network options.
These elements were already included in the Township’s 2010 health care plan for white-collar staff to trim costs; such items are commonplace in private-sector plans.
“On behalf of the PBA, I would like to thank township officials and the members of our negotiation team for their hard work and constant professionalism throughout this entire negotiation process,” Patrolman Farrell said.
Mayor Fried concurred. “Both sides put the needs of Robbinsville first,” he said.
The mayor noted that Robbinsville may be one of the first municipalities in New Jersey where every employee contributes to his or her health care. “It has taken several years to get there, but Robbinsville is showing the rest of the state that change is possible.”
|
