Midland Park May 12, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 The Midland Park PBA and the borough are meeting with a mediator assigned by the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) this week to try to come to an agreement on a new contract. The previous contract expired on Dec. 31, 2009. “I am confident reasonable people can come up with a reasonable solution,” said Councilman Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan, who chairs the borough’s negotiations committee. This sentiment was echoed by PBA President Noah Van Vliet. “We have been working diligently on coming to an agreement. Hopefully, we’ll be able to resolve the issues, and this will be it,” he said. Van Vliet noted that any agreements reached by the attorneys representing both sides would still have to be voted upon by the PBA membership. The union is represented by Attorney Richard Loccke. The borough’s labor attorney is Raymond Wiss. Negotiations have been going on for more than a year without professional negotiators, O’Hagan said, with both sides discussing mutual concerns, financial needs and the constraints imposed by the 2010 budget. Borough, PBA to meet with PERC mediator this week “Through 2009 we were of the opinion that we were moving closer and closer to an agreement that would be satisfactory to both sides,” O’Hagan said. But in December, the PBA exercised its option to file for arbitration. “It should be understood that with police negotiations, we are not dealing with individuals, but rather with the union. The union position is to stay aligned with other PBAs throughout the state, whereas the borough can only negotiate with the financial numbers we have,” O;Hagan said. Van Vliet said he would not speak on the issues under discussion until after the meeting with the mediator. O’Hagan said that the borough is looking to extend the number of steps a patrolman needs to reach the top of the salary guide, which is currently seven. Additionally, the borough had been asking the union members to contribute to their health benefits. This point will become moot after May 21, however, when a new law goes into effect requiring public employees to contribute 1.5 percent of their salary towards their health benefits. Any prior agreements would be exempt from this or other future mandates during the life of the contract. The PBA, which includes 11 officers (the chief is excluded), had been working under a three-year contract effective in 2006, which was then extended to include 2009. Under those agreements, a patrolman’s starting salary of $32,269 rose after seven years to $100,866 (in 2006, the top salary was $90,097). A sergeant’s salary is $105,909, and the lieutenant’s $110,954. O’Hagan said the borough had also attempted to reduce terminal leave pay from 60 days to 40 days, but distribute the 20 day-difference as additional vacation days among the members. ������������������ ��������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������ ���������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������� Times Are Tough Especially IF YOU Need a Job! JOB SEARCH TRAINING SEMINAR Given by noted Business Consultant Peg Wright (APD, LLC) �������������������� Cornerstone Christian Church 495 Wyckoff Avenue – Wyckoff, NJ For info or to register / Call: 201-891-1651 Part 1 Sat., May 22 Part 2 Sat., June 19 9am to 1pm Cost: $50 – Scholarships Available CALL NOW! 201-652-4447 1973 - 2010 ~ 37 Years of Excellence MIDLAND PARK 24 Godwin Avenue 5-5-10 pat/janine CornerstoneChurch2x2(5-5-10) 2x2” $ NEW PATIENT EXAM Offer includes exam, dental Offer includes exam, dental cleaning and complete digital x-rays. and complete x-rays. Expires be combined. Offer cannot4/30/2010. Offer cannot be combined Expires 6/30/2010. 79 $ IN-OFFICE TEETH WHITENING Offer includes custom whitening trays and a Offer includes 1-Hour In-Office 6-week supply ofWhitening. gel. Professional whitening Expires 4/30/2010. Offer cannot be combined. Offer cannot be combined. Expires 6/30/2010. 279 www.mkdmd.com