New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association, Inc.

The N. J. State P.B.A., Inc. represents over 350 Local's across the State representing Professional Federal, State, County & Municipal Law Enforcement Officers.

Helping those who help others.....

NEW INFO REGARDING CHAPTER 78 Phase in for New Hires:

We have been receiving numerous inquiries with regards to the effect of the implementation of the Chapter 78 phase in on new hires.

Please take note of the following scenarios:

An existing employee as of June 28, 2011 who has a CNA that expired after 6/28/2011 follows their contract until it expires and then begins the four year Phase-In.
An existing employee as of June 28, 2011 who has a CNA that expired prior to 6/28/2011 begins the first year phase in under Chapter 78.
A new employee hired after 6/28/2011 who has a CNA that expires after 6/28/2011 follows the CAN until it expires and upon expiration, begins the Ch. 78 Phase-In.
A new employee hired after 6/28/2011 who has a CNA that expired before 6/28/2011 pays the full fourth year phase in under Ch. 78.

Exception: if an employee is hired the day after a CNA expires, the employee contributes at the Year 1 phase-in rate (this employee is considered an existing employee on the day the c.78 health care contribution commences).
I hope that this brings some clarification to this confusing situation.

In order to assist you with employers who do not understand the implementation for new hires, please refer them to Local finance Notice 2011-20R available at the web site listed below.
http://www.nj.gov/dca/lgs/lfns/11lfnlis.shtml

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IMPORTANT Consent Decree Update

The information provided below is from the NJ Civil Service Commission regarding the proposed Consent Decree. Be advised that you can access the information in the green box below (2011 Police Sergeant Consent Decree) by clicking on any of the topics. Some of the items are time/date sensitive, so please read thoroughly.
The Fairness Hearing will be held on March 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., at the Martin Luther King Building and United States Courthouse, 50 Walnut Street, Newark, New Jersey 07101. You have the right to attend this Fairness Hearing.

2011 Police Sergeant Consent Decree Information

2011 Police Sergeant Consent Decree

	Consent Process
	Text of Consent Decree
	Notices, Letters and Forms
	Notice of Settlement and Fairness Hearing
	FAQ and Contacts

United States v. State of New Jersey and New Jersey Civil Service Commission
In January 2010, the United States Department of Justice (the "DOJ") brought a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey and the New Jersey Civil Service Commission (the "State") to challenge the written exam given by the State to select candidates for promotion to police sergeant in jurisdictions participating in the State's civil service system. The DOJ alleged, among other things, that the State's use of a police sergeant written examination and certification of candidates in descending rank order have resulted in a disparate impact upon African-American and Hispanic candidates for promotion to police sergeant, in violation of Title VII. The State denies that it has violated Title VII. Nevertheless, the State has agreed to resolve this lawsuit by entering into a settlement agreement referred to as the Consent Decree.
On November 22, 2011, the Court provisionally approved and entered the Second Amended Consent Decree ("Decree"), which includes the following terms:

In consultation with the DOJ, the State will develop a new police sergeant examination and scoring process for selecting candidates for police sergeants in local jurisdictions.
The State will provide $1,000,000 of monetary relief as back pay to be distributed among African-American and Hispanic claimants from certain jurisdictions who were determined to have been adversely affected by the State's uses of the written exam.
Priority will be given to minority candidates in thirteen specific jurisdictions for priority promotions. These candidates will receive priority over all other candidates, except for those candidates on any reemployment lists, until 68 priority promotions have been made.

This website provides information about the Decree, including links to the attachments to the Decree and to relevant forms. This website also explains how to apply both for monetary relief and for a priority promotion.

Attention Chapter 330 Retirees

Recently, Chapter 78 changed some of the effective parameters of the Chapter 330 legislation. Please read below to find out if it is affecting you!

As you know, Chapter 330 provides that the state pay 80% of the cost of the lowest cost plan for retiree’s that were qualified under the legislation. The passage of Chapter 78 created several lower cost plans that affected the amount the state would pay, thereby increasing the cost to the members if they remained in the plan.

As a result, if you remain in the plan you were previously in, you will pay a much higher premium cost in the year 2012.
Please look at the rate charts on the SHBP web site to see which plan is right for you. Take note that the “2030” HMO plans have a lower premium and slightly higher doctor co-pays. If you need to change your plan, please call the Division of Pensions and Benefits immediately to see if they will still allow you to switch.

Please do not hesitate to contact me via email with any questions. lpp@njspba.com

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Retiement Workshops

Wednesday, February 15, 1000 hours, PBA State Office
Friday, March 2, 0830 hours, Camden Police Academy (Lakewood Campus)
Wednesday, March 14, 1000 hours, PBA State Office

Upcoming Events fro the State & Local PBA's

Hazlet PBA Retirement Dinner - click here	11 FEB 2012
Collective Bargaining Seminar registration - here	8-10 FEB 2012
Clifton PBA/FMBA Beefsteak - click here	10 FEB 2012
Milltown Retirement Dinner - click here	11 FEB 2012
Clifton Unity Tour Fundraiser - click here	17 FEB 2012
Keyport PBA Benefit - clcik here	18 FEB 2012
Ocean Co. Polar Bear plunge - click here	24 FEB 2012
Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge - click here	25 FEB 2012
South River Benefit Dinner - click here	02 MAR 2012
Mini Convention at Bally's in AC: for the application - click here	5-9 MAR 2012
Harrison Beefsteak & Comedy Show - click here	10 MAR 2012
Edison Unity Tour fund raiser - click here	13 MAR 2012
Blue Mass in Trenton - click here	20 MAR 2012
Glooucester Co. Local 122 Beef & Beer - here	31 MAR 2012
Seaside Hgts PD 1st. Alumni Banquet - click here	21 ARP 2012
Nutley Beefsteak - click here	28 APR 2012
Garwood PBA "Help for Greg" event - click here	10 MAY 2012
Harrison Golf Outing - click here	21 MAY 2012
Keyport PBA Sponsored Blue Mass - click here	14 JUN 2012

President Tony Wieners’ Message

Star Ledger Refuses to Tell Real Disability Story

A recent Star Ledger story on the Chairman of the PFRS Board of Trustees doesn’t tell the true story about disability pensions in New Jersey. Unfortunately, the editor of the Star Ledger has advised us that he refuses to run the following Op Ed piece to address what the story left out. I think it is important that the media state the facts when discussing a serious issue like this and so I am sharing with you what the Ledger, for whatever reason, doesn’t want the public to know:

click here for the download

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V.P. Keith Dunn's corner

Fitness Center Discounts

Just some clarifications regarding the presentation done by RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center yesterday at State Meeting. The $35 monthly “special rate” is only good for your spouse and children (no exceptions) and the PBA member MUST be enrolled for your spouse/child to enjoy the rate. The PBA member signs up at the RWJ location nearest or most convenient to them, but you can use any of their 7 current locations. You DO NOT sign up through the PBA office. Valid police ID must be presented when enrolling.

The State PBA is NO longer accepting Bally Fitness applications as they have been taken over by LA Fitness and some area locations have closed. Most Bally’s in NJ remain open and still are honoring current memberships. If your membership has expired or is due to soon, you can speak with your particular Bally’s gym to see if you want to extend your membership. Again, this will be done between you and Bally’s Fitness Center.

Rob Nixon's legislative news

Sick Leave Legislative Update

The recent flurry of stories in the press have caused a number of rumors to fly throughout the law enforcement community about the movement of legislation to cap or eliminate supplemental compensation for sick leave and vacation time. With the Legislative session ending on January 10, 2012, the chances of a bill moving in Trenton in time to address the topic are diminishing for this Legislature. However, we believe the matter will continue to be a focal point of discussion into the new Session and the Governor is expected to continue speaking out strongly against the payment for unused sick and vacation time.

The State PBA is closely following the process behind the scenes in the formulation of a bill on the issue. We have been made aware of an Office of Legislative Services opinion that EXISTING time for sick and vacation days are a “property right” and protected under the law in a manner that would prevent a law being signed to strip a member of the value of that time. It would therefore appear a bill on the issue would need to preserve an employee’s right to be paid for time earned to date and that any legislation would need to focus on the value of FUTURE accrual of time. We will update the members as soon as a bill is introduced that could impact the PBA members.

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From the desk of John Hulse

Now that our magazine, NJ COPS is up and running, we need the help of our Locals more then ever. This magazine will contain a great deal of information about new laws, proposed legislation and situations relating to and affecting our working conditions. But more importantly, it will contain news and photos from our individual Local Associations.

Promotions, newly elected Local leaders, charity events, all of the happenings within your communities are great news items that we should share with everyone reading our publication.

Please send your articles and photos to me at news@njspba.com

NJSPBA.COM