Madison Won't Appeal PBA Contract Award Further

Madison's unsuccessful appeal of a police contract arbitration award was based on a "very narrow issue" involving the pattern of raises in other contracts, and the borough will not appeal the award further, borough attorney Matthew Giacobbe said.

"PERC (the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission) denied our appeal on that narrow issue and so we're not going to pursue any further appeals," Giacobbe said during Monday's meeting.

He recommended not appealing the contract further, and the governing body concurred, he said.

Madison went to interest arbitration with the PBA in April of 2011 and arbitrator Robert M. Glasson, Giacobbe said.

PERC last month, saying the arbitrator "thoroughly considered" the necessary criteria.

The award

Under the four-year contract, which would apply from Jan. 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2013, the top salary step for officers, sergeants and lieutenants would receive raises each year while the lower salary steps would remain frozen.

The top salary step, which applies to officers with more than five years, and the salary for sergeants and lieutenants, would receive raises of 1.5 percent for 2010, and then 2 percent each of the next three years.

Additionally, the award creates a new wage schedule for officers hired after July 15, 2012, adding three more years of service needed to reach the top pay step.

PBA President Patrolman Anthony Maccario has said the arbitration award was "very fair." He said the 1.5 percent raise is offset by legislation requiring public employee contributions to healthcare plans and the 2 percent raises are in line with the 2 percent property tax levy cap for municipalities.