2018 NJ STATE PBA Collective Bargaining Seminar
Such a Bargain
The 31st Collective Bargaining Seminar featured its standard high level of information that will help PBA Locals navigate the ever-changing world of contract negotiations. Another record attendance of nearly 500 members accentuated how Locals have a brighter outlook on what might be ahead for salary, benefits and other challenges. Take a look though the eyes of these Local members to see the impact that information presented continues to make. d
Stories by Mitchell Krugel and Amber Ramundo Photos by Ed Carattini Jr.
All in a row for Jackson Township
Jackson Township Local 168 members filled two rows of the ballroom at Harrah’ s that housed the 2018 PBA Collective Bargaining Seminar. Why did Jackson bring 11 members, apparently the most of any Local that attended? Well, when something works, apparently you stick with it.“ The information we got from the seminar last time we had a contract negotiation was very helpful,” noted Local 168 President Joe Candido, who led the Jackson Township delegation.“ We were able to negotiate the last contract in three sittings. The seminar lets us know how we’ re on the right track.”
Mike Goelz attended the seminar for the second time. He is now a member of the Jackson Township Superior Officers Association( SOA) and found the session on officers’ rights by Stuart Alterman of Alterman & Associates, as well as the Health Benefits presentation from David Beckett of Beckett Law LLC and PBA Health Benefits Coordinator Kevin Lyons, provided the type of information Local 168 members have asked about.
“ They’ re going to want to know everything,” Goelz revealed during a break on day two of the three-day event.“ What they’ re saying here about certain issues we’ ve talked about at certain meetings. I think we have a lot of information so far, and I’ m looking forward to talking more with the guys and seeing what they think about what we got here.”
The Local 168 members spread their resources to note elements of the seminar that were particularly relevant to the negotiating agenda. It’ s the hunt-and-check strategy that many
Frank Cipully( left) and some of the 11 members from Jackson Township Local 168 who attended the PBA Collective Bargaining Seminar.
attendees used to process the immense volume of information the Collective Bargaining Seminar offered.
“ You look for the updates,” explained SOA member Mike Friedman, who has been on the job 12 years.“ After years of fighting tooth and nail with the Christie administration, we now seem to have an administration that looks like it’ s going to lean in our favor a little bit. Obviously, there’ s a lot of transition going on, but these guys here who are giving us the information seem to have a pretty good feel for what’ s going to work out for us.” d
www. njcopsmagazine. com ■ FEBRUARY 2018 35