TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

AGREEMENT 3

I RECOGNITION 4

II NEGOTIATION PROCEDURES 5

III GRIEVANCE 6

IV NON-DISCRIMINATION 9

V DELEGATE AND CONVENTIONS 10

VI MANGEMENT RIGHTS 11

VII SCHEDULING 13

VIII SALARIES AND COMPENSATION 14

IX OVERTIME 16

X HOLIDAYS 19

XI VACATIONS 21

XII SICK LEAVE 22

XIII LEAVES OF ABSENCE 25

XIV HEALTH INSURANCE AND MEDICAL BENEFITS 27

XV COMMUNICABLE DISEASES 29

XVI CLOTHING ALLOWANCE 30

XVII ADDITIONAL EXPENSES AND REIMBURSEMENT 32

XVIII OTHER EMPLOYMENT 33

XIX SENIORITY AND REDUCTION IN FORCE 34

XX AGENCY SHOP 36

XXI RETENTION OF BENEFITS 38

XXII NO STRIKE CLAUSE 39

XXIII SAVINGS CLAUSE 40

XXIV DURATION OF AGREEMENT 41

SALARY SCHEDULES - 2011-2015 42

WHEREAS, the parties named have engaged in collective bargaining for the purpose of

developing a contract covering salaries, working conditions, benefits and other items and

conditions concerning employment; THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and

mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree with each other in respect to the

Employees of the Employer as being represented by the New Jersey State Policemen's

Benevolent Association, Local #77 as follows:

B. Both parties agree there will be no changes in the terms and conditions of employment during the lifetime of this Agreement, except through negotiations between the parties.

C. Whenever a representative of the PBA or any employee is mutually scheduled by the

parties to participate during the employee's scheduled working hours in negotiations,

grievances, conferences of meetings, he shall suffer no loss of time, pay or any other fringe

benefits and shall be relieved from duty subject to manpower needs of the department.

A grievance is any dispute 'between the parties concerning the application of/or interpretation of this Agreement, policy, administrative decision or any complaint by any employee as to any action or non-action which violates any right arising from his or their employment.

B. Grievance Steps

1. Step One: Any and all grievances by an employee shall be submitted to the steward of the PBA in writing within fifteen (15) days of its occurrence. The steward shall screen and process all grievances with the Chief or his designee within ten (10) days of written receipt.

2. Step Two: If the grievance is not resolved within fifteen (15) days after

presentation to the Chief or his designee, the grievance shall be submitted to the Director of

the Department of Public Safety & Administration in writing within ten (10) days of the

Chief’s written decision or within the fifteenth (15^th) day following the Chief or his

Designee’s receipt of the grievance, whichever is earlier, in the event the Chief or his

designee does not issue a written decision. If the Chief does not issue a written decision,

the grievance shall be considered denied at this STEP.

3. Step Three: In the event the grievance is not resolved at the second step, the

aggrieved shall refer the grievance in writing within five (5) days of the receipt of the written

decision of the Director of the Department of Public Safety & Administration or from the

expiration of the time period in which the Director of the Department of Public Safety &

Administration must act pursuant to Step 2 above.

4. Step Four: In the event the grievance is not resolved at the third step, the PBA,

after finding the matter meritorious, may refer the matter for impartial binding arbitration. If

the PBA wished to move a grievance to arbitration, it shall file with the Public Employment

Relations Commission within ten (10) days of receipt of decision, or the expiration of time for

the Township committee to act in Step 3, whichever occurs earlier and request that a list of

arbitrators be furnished to the Township and the PBA.

5. Nothing herein is to preclude any meeting or hearing at any step if requested by

either party.

C. Arbitration

Unless the parties agree otherwise, no more than one (1) issue shall be

The fees and expenses of the arbitrator shall be borne equally by the parties.

3. The arbitrator shall be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and shall not have any power to add to, subtract from or in any way modify any of the terms of this Agreement.

4. The decision of the arbitrator shall be in writing with the reasons therefore and

shall be binding upon the parties; subject, however, N.J.S.A. 2A:24-1 et seq.

D. Presence of Individuals at Arbitration Hearing

The Steward or his alternate, whose presence is required in the arbitration hearing, shall

be released from his regular work shift without loss of regular straight time rate pay for such

purpose. Any individuals employed by the Township reasonably required as a witness in

arbitration proceedings under this agreement shall be made available.

E. Time Limits

The time limits set forth herein shall be strictly adhered to. If any grievance has not been initiated within the time limit specified, the grievance shall be deemed to have been waived. If any grievance is not processed to the succeeding step in the grievance procedure within the time limits prescribed, then disposition of the grievance at the prior step shall be deemed to be conclusive. Nothing herein shall prevent the parties from mutually agreeing to extend or contract the time limits provided for processing the grievance at any step in the grievance procedure. All such extensions shall be in writing and signed by a representative of the Township and the Steward.

B. Neither the Employer nor the PBA shall discriminate against any employee because off

race, color, creed, nationality, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status or affiliation.

pay to attend the scheduled meetings or special meetings of the State Organization.

B. Up to two (2) PBA Convention Delegates shall be afforded the convention of the State

Organization without loss of time or pay. Time will be allowed for travel to and from said

location of the Convention.

C. Additional delegates may be authorized by the Chief to attend such meetings as

specified in Sections A and B above, but such attendance shall not be without loss of time or

pay.

1. The executive management and administrative control of the Township government, its properties and facilities and the activities of its employees.

2. To hire all employees subject to the provisions of law, to determine their qualifications and conditions for continued employment or assignment and to promote and transfer employees.

3. To take disciplinary action for just cause according to law. Appeals shall be subject to the grievance procedure.

5. To determine the methods, means and personnel by which its operations are to be conducted.

7. To schedule hours of work and shifts.

8. To take all necessary actions to carry out its mission in emergencies.

9. To exercise complete control and discretion over its organization and the technology of performing its work, and to make and modify rules of procedure and conduct.

10. The Township reserves the right with regard to all other conditions of employment nor reserved to make such changes as it deems desirable and necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the Police Department.

B. The reasonable exercise of the foregoing powers, rights, authorities and responsibilities of the Township, the adoption of policies, rules, regulations and practices in the implementation thereof, and the use of judgment and discretion in connection therewith shall be limited only by the specific and express written terms of this Agreement and applicable law.

A. Scheduling

1. There shall be a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours on all schedule changes, meeting or any other activity notices except in the event of a police emergency, e.g., floods, civil disturbances. severe accidents, etc. Employees may switch with one another with permission and notification must be made. Work schedules must be posted at least fifteen (15) days in advance. Schedules shall not be changed to avoid overtime unless for a police emergency as described in this provision.

2. Written approval by superior officers for all switches must be obtained before switch is permitted. This notice must remain on file. At no time will employees switching with each other result in overtime or compensatory time payments being made to either involved individual.

The base salary of all members listed in Article I recognized as being represented by the PBA shall be set forth in the Salary Schedules, which is attached hereto and made a part thereof.

B. Court Time

1. All employees mentioned in Article I attending any court hearing or conference stemming from a criminal or quasi-criminal matter arising out of the course of or in connection with an employee's performance of duties as an officer of the Township, shall be compensated at a minimum of three (3) hours call in pay at the employee’s overtime rate for each attendance when the officer is not scheduled for duty.

C. Stand-By Time

1. Stand-by time for all officers shall be compensated for fit a rate of one (1) hour compensatory time for each hour of stand-by time or part thereof when the officer is housebound due to importance of stand-by and must remain by phone.

2. All other standby time for all officers shall be compensated for a rate of one

(1) hour compensatory time for each three (3) hours of stand-by time or part thereof.

D. Recall to Duty

When an officer is recalled to duty, he/she shall be compensated from the lime scheduled to report at a rate of one and one half (1 ½ ) pay or compensatory time at the officer's discretion for a minimum of three (3) hours.

E. Paychecks

1. All items on the paycheck shall be listed separately, such as overtime, dues, pension, etc. All additional pay, excluding overtime, shall be paid in a separate check.

2. All paychecks shall indicate the number of hours worked at straight time as well as those worked overtime.

F. K-9 Officer

1. A K·9 Officer shall be paid for eight (8) hours per day but shall only be required to work seven and one-half (7 ½) hours per day.

2. A K·9 Officer shall receive four (4) hours of compensatory time per month as compensation for weekend care of the dog.

G. Pager Time

Any officer requested/required to carry a pager shall be compensated by receiving four

(4) hours of compensation time for each month he carries the pager.

1. All time worked in excess of a regularly scheduled shift in one day shall be
compensated at a rate of one and one half (1 ½ ) time the regular base salary.. Compensation for overtime shall be in either pay or compensatory time at the officer's discretion at a rate on one and one half-hour for one hour worked. All time worked in excess of the regularly scheduled work period shall be compensated at a rate of one and one half (1 ½ ) the time worked and is to be computed as above and is to be compensated in pay or compensatory time, at an officer's discretion.

2. The hourly rate for overtime shall be computed by dividing the base salary by 2080 and multiplying by 1.5.

3. The straight time rate of pay shall be computed by taking the base pay and dividing by 2080.

1. When the officer works overtime, the choice of compensation, whether it be in compensatory time at 1 ½ times or in pay at 1 ½ times, shall be his option.

2. Officers employed prior to January 1, 2003, who have in excess of 240 hours of compensatory time accrued, shall be allowed to carry forward such time and utilize it at their discretion. They shall receive overtime pay and not be entitled to receive additional compensatory time until their accrued compensatory time falls below 240 hours a maximum of 240 hours at which time they may elect to receive compensatory time in lieu of overtime pay up to a maximum of 240 hours.

Officers employed after January 1, 2003, shall not accrue more than 240 hours

of compensatory time.

4. Officers shall be allowed to sell back up to forty (40) hours of accumulated compensatory time (earned at time and one-half) at the end of each calendar year at the employee's straight rate of pay as of December 31 of that calendar year. Such payment shall be made to the officer no later than the first pay period following final adoption of the Township's budget.

5. The PBA agrees that no more than two (2) overtime shifts per calendar day can be created by the use of comp time. This does not include overtime caused by sick time situations, vacation, or any other such absences from duty or special duty assignments and applies to overtime caused by the use of comp time only. The Chief shall have the discretion to approve additional overtime shifts in excess of the two (2) per calendar day.

C. Overtime Scheduling

1. Distribution of overtime shall begin by seniority and rotate henceforth. If an officer refuses overtime, his name shall be skipped and proceed to the next senior man.

2. If an emergent situation arises and a shift is required to be filled (less than 24 hours notice), the officer on duty shall remain on duty to fill the vacancy for the first half of the shift and shall be compensated at a rate of 1½ times per Article lX, Paragraph A. If the on-coming officer refuses or cannot be contacted, the officer on duty shall remain on duty if he chooses to do so or Paragraph A of this article shall be followed. Under no circumstances will the shift remain uncovered. If there is more than twenty-four (24) hour notice that the shift will be vacant, Section C.1 shall be followed.

3. All time worked in excess of the normally scheduled workday shall be compensated at 1 ½ times the employee's salary in accordance with Article IX, Paragraph A.

2. Holidays shall be as listed:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Day
President’s Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
General Election Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

C. All officers not assigned to regular patrol duties will celebrate the listed holidays on the same date as celebrated by the Township, not on the specific date of the holiday.

schedule:

Completion of 1 year 1 scheduled work week
Completion of 2 years 2 scheduled work weeks
Completion of 3 years to 5 years 3 scheduled work weeks
Completion of 5 years to 10 years 4 scheduled work weeks
Completion of 10 years to 15 years 5 scheduled work weeks
Completion of 15 years to 20 years 6 scheduled work weeks
Completion of 20 years 7 scheduled work weeks


B. Vacations shall be based upon the completion of years if completed within the calendar

year. All vacations are to be taken during the calendar year when possible. Each officer will be permitted to carry forward a maximum of the current year’s vacation and the total vacation allocated for the immediate past year. On December 31^st of the current year, all remaining unused vacation time from the prior year will be lost. No compensation will be received for this lost time. Upon termination, vacation time for the current year will be prorated from January 1^st of the departure year until the last scheduled payroll date.

1. The Township recognizes that unlimited accumulation of Sick Leave and Vacation time was a condition of employment for the Employees listed in Article I. The Township further agrees to grant the Employees listed in Article I, unlimited sick leave that will not be accumulated.

2. The Employees listed in Article I agree to waive that condition of employment with regard to Sick Leave and Vacation time and agree to freeze all accumulated Sick Leave and Vacation Time up to and including the effective date of this Agreement.

3. Should the Employee retire, the Employer agrees to continue the Employee's bi-weekly pay as a terminal leave for the equivalent amount of time owed to the Employee. An employee on terminal leave shall be carried on the Township's payroll as an inactive employee for such period of terminal leave. He/she may only he allowed to return to active duty with the Township at the sole discretion of the Township with written approval of the Township. Except upon the express written approval and consent of the Township, an employee on terminal leave may not return to active service with the Township if the Township has hired a permanent replacement for the employee on leave.

4. Should the Employee leave employment or be terminated, the Employer agrees to compensate the Employee, for all days frozen at the Employee's straight time rate of pay.

5. Should the Employee become deceased while in direct employment or while on terminal leave the Employer agrees to pay the Employee's next of kin or Estate one lump sum following the Employee's death within the next thirty (30) days.

6. From date of hire to the completion of five (5) years, the employee shall be assessed no more than three (3) days per year for days off due to illness or injury. Upon completion of five (5) years, there shall be no loss of time or pay to the Employee for days off duty due to illness or injury.

7. Any employee absent due to illness for more than three (3) consecutive days shall provide the Township with a note from a certified physician identifying the reason for the absence and a certification that the employee is able to return to work.

Employees hired on or after January 1,2000 in addition to his paid vacation, will granted sick leave with pay of one (1) working day for every month of service during the first calendar year of employment and fifteen (15) working days in every calendar year thereafter, credited on January 1 of each calendar year. If any such employee requires none or only a portion of such allowable sick leave for any calendar year, the amount of such leave not taken shall accumulate to his or her credit from year to year and such employee shall be entitled to utilize such accumulated sick leave with pay as required. Sick days will not be accumulated for the purposes of terminal leave.

1. Each member of the Police Department mentioned in Article I shall be given four (4) personal days for the calendar year to be taken at their discretion at any time during the course of the calendar year. A minimum of four (4) hours notice is required except in the case of emergency.

2. These four (4) days are assumed to be pro-rated each year with one day issued per quarter. Should an employee leave the employment of the Township before the end of the calendar year, he/she will only be compensated for personal days earned, but not used. Should the employee have days not earned, is final compensation will reflect this.

1. Members as mentioned in Article I shall be allowed five (5) work days time off, to be used within fifteen (15) days of the date of death in case of death of the following: mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or any other person permanently residing in the member's home.

2. For grandchild, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, brother-in-law, cousin of the degree, date of burial only.

3. Exceptions to the above may be made when the deceased is buried in another city and the member is unable to return to duty in the amount of time granted.

1. Medical and health plans, e.g. Blue Cross, HMO Health Ways. Major Medical, Prescription Plan, Dental Plan, one (1) eye examination per year, etc. shall be paid fully by the Employer subject to any employee contribution as mandated by law. There shall be no decrease in benefits of the above plans and the members mentioned in Article I shall receive any improvements or upgrading of benefits which are given to any other Township employee at no cost to the Employee. If there should be an anticipated change of the medical plan carrier, the PBA shall be given advance notice of said change.

2. The Township does reserve the right to re-open the contract solely on the issue of Health Benefits if or when a new provider is selected or regulations governing State Health Benefits Plans are amended to permit variations in the level of coverage.

3. An employee desiring to have full family coverage for all health insurance benefits must produce evidence that he/she is the primary insurance provider for the family. If this proof is not presented, the responsibility for health benefits for the individual by the Township will be restricted to single coverage and not family coverage.

B. Medical Examination

1. Each employee shall be afforded a complete medical examination once each calendar year. This examination shall be voluntary and shall consist of basic blood work, chest x-ray, EKG, eyes, ears, nose, throat, prostate and other tests recommended by the examining physician, e.g.: stress tests) etc. If the medical examination is not covered by the employee's health plan, all expenses shall be borne by Employer.

2. Proof of insurance submission and denial must be submitted to the Township before payment will be authorized. All reports and declaration of the examination shall be distributed by the authority of the employee.

Any employee recognized in Article I who retires after twenty-five (25) years of service in the Police and Firemen Retirement System and twenty (20) years of service with the Township of Mullica or who is granted a Disability Retirement Pension from the Police and Firemen Retirement System shall retain and enjoy all medical, optical, dental, health and prescription benefits. Any employee recognized in Article I hired subsequent to January 2, 2007, who retires after twenty-five (25) years of service in the Police and Firemen Retirement System and twenty (20) years of service with the Township of Mullica or who is granted a Disability Retirement Pension from the Police and Firemen Retirement System shall retain and enjoy all medical, health and prescription benefits. Such benefits shall be continually paid by the Township. All current employees as of the date of the signing of this Agreement shall be “grandfathered” so as to allow for coverage with fifteen (15) years of service with the Township.

Hepatitis B, AIDS, etc., shall be treated with the assumption that the disease was contacted
in and during the performance of duty. Incident reports may be required to validate the claim.
This assumption may be challenged and rebutted if the Employer provides evidence to the contrary.

B. Clothing destroyed or damaged in the line of duty shall be replaced or repaired at the Employer's expense. The replacement of personal effects such as watches, jewelry, etc. shall be covered up to $100.00 per incident. Personal items such as glasses will be fully reimbursable. The reimbursable amount shall not exceed the original purchase price of the item being replaced. A report of such damage or loss must be submitted at the time of the occurrence, signed by the shift commander.

C. The Township agrees to provide each newly hired employee with an initial issue of uniforms complete with required patches and insignia, leather and web gear, body armor, and necessary equipment listed in Schedule C, which shall be developed between the parties. The uniform issue includes a summer uniform, including short-sleeved shirts, without a tie, which will be worn during the summer months or at any other time deemed appropriate at the discretion of the Chief of Police. Each employee is responsible to maintain in serviceable condition the number and type of uniforms listed in Schedule C. Items listed in Schedule C that are damaged beyond repair shall be replaced by the Township.

B. The Employer agrees to pay the maximum per mile amount allowed by the IRS and tolls when the officer's personal vehicle is used for official police business providing permission is granted, in advance, by the Chief of Police.

C. Payment for the above expenses will be made upon presentation of receipts for all incurred allowable expenses.

D. If the Township requires/requests its officers to take a physical fitness test, any officer who passes such test shall receive a payment of $200.00.

B. All such outside employment will require the advanced approval of the Chief who shall solely make the determination of whether such other employment interferes or conflicts with his/her responsibilities and duties as a police officer.

1. Seniority for purposes of a reduction in force/layoff is defined as total service by appointed officers in the Township in any position (s) covered by either or both of the collective bargaining units (R&F and Superior Officers). An appointed officer shall lose all accumulated seniority only if he/she resigns or is discharged for cause.

2. In the event or a reduction in force/layoff, officers shall be laid off in the reverse order of total seniority of all officers in the Police Department. Any employee laid off shall remain on a recall roster for a period of five (5) years from the date of layoff. Recalls shall be based on a total seniority in the Police Department.

3. In the event that, within five (5) years of an officer’s layoff, a vacancy/opening occurs in the Police Department and is covered by either of the Agreements (R&F and Superior Officers), a laid-off employee shall be entitled to a one time recall thereto in order of total seniority and shall be reinstated and credited with all prior seniority.

4. The Township shall formally notify the PBA of its intention to possibly reduce force or institute layoffs at least ninety (90) days prior to submission of the annual budget.

In the event of a demotion in rank, the Township shall implement and abide by the following procedures:

a. Seniority for purposes of a demotion in rank is defined as total service in rank by appointed police officers in the Township in any position(s) covered under either or both of the collective bargaining units (R&F and Superior Officers). An appointed officer shall lose all accumulated seniority only if he/she resigns or is discharged for cause.

b. In the event of a demotion in rank, officers shall be demoted in the reverse order of total seniority of all officers within a specific rank in the Police Department. Any employee demoted shall be placed on a recall roster in the event an opening in the officer’s prior rank occurs. Recalls shall be based on total seniority by rank in the Police Department.

c. In the event that, a vacancy/opening occurs in the rank held by the demoted officer and is covered by either of the Agreements (R&F and Superior Officers), a demoted officer shall be entitled to be re-assigned to that rank and position based on total seniority in that rank and shall be reinstated to that rank and credited with all prior seniority.

d. The Township shall formally notify the PBA of its intention to possibly demote any officers at least ninety (90) days prior to the submission of the annual budget.

6. The Township agrees that upon notification as per Section 4 above, it shall discuss that matter fully with the PBA and its representatives. Such discussions shall commence no later than two (2) weeks following such notification.