Politics & Government

Madison Police Arbitration Award Affirmed

Governing body will discuss possibility of another appeal at its Monday meeting, officials said.

The New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission has affirmed an arbitration award for a Madison police union contract that is retroactive to 2010 and the governing body plans to discuss its options next week whether it will try another appeal, officials said.

The commission's Aug. 17 affirmation came after the borough , saying the raises in the arbitration award were not consistent with the pattern in other contracts.

In its affirmation, the commission said the arbitrator, Robert M. Glasson, "thoroughly considered" the necessary criteria and "determined that the internal settlement pattern between the PBA and FMBA was not entitled to substantial weight and ... the arbitrator was authorized to not allow the Borough to amend its final offer."

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The governing body has 45 days to decide if they wish to appeal the PERC affirmation of the award to the commission's appeal board.

The governing body will discuss the issue and their options with the acting borough attorney during Monday's Mayor and Borough Council meeting, in executive session, Borough Administrator Ray Codey said.

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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..

Borough officials declined to say what the award and retroactive raises might mean for Madison's budget while the appeals process is ongoing.

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.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here