Camden County Council #10

519 Federal Street, Canden, NJ 08103, (856)541-4191, FAX (856)541-9390, office@council10.com

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Council #10 Hot Issues:

Council #10 Large Unit Salary Scale Now Available on Line

Council #10's "The Workforce" Newsletter Winter 2009-2010 Edition Now Available

Public Employee Unions File Court Challenge to Gov. Christie's Executive Order Banning Unions from Making Political Donations

Calling the governor’s order "completely illegal," Hetty Rosenstein, state director for the Communications Workers of America, said it violates the state constitution’s separation of powers provision, the federal constitution’s equal protection guarantees and union members’ First Amendment rights. "The governor cannot just issue a piece of paper and have it change the law," Rosenstein said. "The Legislature gets to legislate, not the governor."

In addition to the CWA, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the
International Federation of Professional and Technical Employees-Local 195 and the American Federation of Teachers are asking the state Appellate Division to stay the order. (2/25/10)

NJ Senate Passes Bills Reducing Pensions & Benefits of Public Employees

The NJ State Senate passed three bills reducing public employee pensions, health benefits and sick leave sell-back. Senators Donald Norcross, Fred Madden and James Beach all voted in favor of the legislation. Senator Diane Allen did not vote. The legislation moves on to the NJ Assembly where identical bills are expected to be introduced on February 25. Public employee unions are still trying to figure out the details of the bills; however, the pension changes address only employees enrolling in the pension system AFTER passage of the legislation. On the other hand, requirements for health benefit premium co-pays (a minimum of 1.5% of base salary) will impact current employees. A Q&A sheet concerning the impact of the legislation has been posted on the NJEA website. (updated 2/26/10)

NJ PERC Issues Complaint in Council #10 Unfair Practice Charge

On January 26, 2010, the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) issued a "Complaint and Notice of Hearing" based on charges signed by Council #10's related to Camden County's negotiations ultimatum in October. The hearing is scheduled for May 18. (1/29/10)

Council #10 Night with the Phillies

The Council #10 Activities Committee is sponsoring a night with the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, June 10th. The Phillies will be hosting the Florida Marlins. Tickets (maximum of 3 per member) are $30.00 each, including a $10.00 concession voucher. Tickets are now on sale at the Council #10 office. For additional information contact the Council #10 office. (Flier) (6/19/10)

Sixers Beat Mavericks on Council #10 Night -

Although in the midst of a bad season, the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Dallas Mavericks 92-81 on Council #10 Night, Friday, January 22. The Council #10 group enjoyed the game and the comradeship of their fellow members. (photos).

The Council #10 Activities Committee has already scheduled a Night at the Philadelphia Phillies for Thursday, June 10 (versus Florida Marlins). Work site fliers will be posted in the very near future. (1/29/10)

Camden Co. Deletes Residency Policy –

Citing the need to “carefully balance the need to safeguard and shield County employees from the current downturn in the real estate market”, the Board of Freeholders, at its meeting on January 21, passed a resolution deleting the existing residency policy from its policies and procedures. The policy required county employees to live within Camden County. The action is effective immediately. (1/24/10)

2009 Henry J. Dunn Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament

The annual scholarship golf tournament on September 24 raised over $12,400. (Pictures and story)

Council #10 Files Unfair Practice Charge Related to Change to 12-hour Shifts at County Youth Center

Council #10 has filed a request for "interim relief" to the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) related to Camden County's planned unilateral implementation of 12-hour shifts for Juvenile Detention Officers (JDO's) at the County Youth Center. A hearing by PERC on the request was scheduled for November 17 in PERC's Order to Show Cause issued to Camden County. On November 6, Camden County delayed the planned November 15 implementation until the last week of November. A decision by PERC is expected before then. The JDO's currently work 8-hour shifts.

In a survey conducted in August and September, forty-six Officers opposed the 12-hour shifts while only 5 supported them. Many of the Officers cited family concerns including one who noted that “8-hour shifts allow staff time to participate in activities that help relieve the stress and maintain a healthy quality of life with our families”. One officer cited concern with child care and for time with his son. Another said he needed to care for an elderly parent and another said it would turn his household upside down. One officer noted she has teenagers at home “that needed watching to prevent them from becoming Youth Center residents”.

The survey revealed many also felt 12-hour shifts would increase safety risks to both Officers and residents. They cited the stress involved with handling youth offenders, many of which are violent offenders. They feared they would be exhausted and less attentive at the end of the proposed shifts. They knew the physical requirements of the job and felt the proposed shifts would make the work much more difficult. One noted they had experience with 12-hour shifts from a previous job and felt certain the stress level of both Officers and residents would increase considerably. Another noted “burn-out” will occur at even a higher rate. One said in opposing the change, “STRESS IS A KILLER”. (11/7/09)

Holiday Luncheon Pin Sale Raises $657

Troop Support Flag Pin

The sale of "We Support Our Troops" pins at the annual Council #10 Holiday Luncheons has so far raised $657. Thanks to all on behalf of Council #10. (Updated 2/25/09)

New Jersey Paid Family Leave Insurance Program Starts July 1

On July 1, New Jersey becomes only the third U.S. state to offer workers paid leave for the care of family members. Almost all workers in New Jersey will be eligible for up to six consecutive weeks or 42 intermittent days of paid leave for the care of children, spouses and domestic or civil union partners with a serious health condition or for bonding with a newborn or newly adopted child. All employees covered under the New Jersey Unemployment Compensation Law are covered by the program if they meet other eligibility requirements. The program, funded entirely by worker payroll deductions, provides a weekly benefit equal to two-thirds of the claimant's average weekly wage up to a maximum of $546. Additional information is available at the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development website and on the "Forms & Brochures" page on the Council #10 website. (Application for Benefits) (6/27/09)

Negotiations Ongoing

Negotiations are ongoing in the Camden County Large, Blue Collar, Crafts & Mosquito Commission Units, the County Library Support Staff and Supervisory Units, Pine Hill Borough, as well as the City of Camden Supervisory and Non-supervisory Units and the Camden City Free Library Supervisory and Non-supervisory Units. (3/30/09)

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President Karl R. Walko

Message from the President -

Governor Christie’s Plan for Public Employees

Dear Friends:

The election of Chris Christie as Governor puts a clear opponent of public employee unions in the Governor’s office. After campaigning on an anti-public employee theme, Christie’s transition team issued its report which included recommendation on the Civil Service Commission and the Public Employment Relations Commission that would have a devastating impact on the balance between employees and public employers in New Jersey. Near the end of the report it included a recommendation that, “The Governor should initially refrain from using his popularity and bully pulpit to confront [public employee unions] until the timing is right and his support staff has done their job. Then the Governor can use his talent to get the public, the Legislature and the media behind this endeavor. Acting too precipitously could allow the unions to drag out the issues and place the Administration in a position of appearing harsh or anti-union before building its case and gaining wide and bi-partisan support; In New Jersey it would not be advisable to lump all the unions together. We believe most non-public unions and their members will be supportive of reining in the public unions.”

The report included the following recommendations for the Civil Service Commission and the Public Employment Relations Commission.

Civil Service Commission –

Overall recommendation: Replace current civil service/merit system with a new human resource delivery system that ensures the fundamental integrity of the public employment system and rewards quality and productivity. The new system should include, but not be limited to:

Reform the state government employee classification system by broad banding titles. Use more generic job descriptions to reduce the number of titles and reduce the number of employee requests for re-classification and desk audits. Update the job descriptions to include computer skills or other technical expertise required to perform the duties of a position. Seniority rights should be protected.
Eliminate the “rule of three.” State agencies should have greater flexibility in hiring decisions and should be able to choose candidates from larger pools of applicants. Further, state agencies should be able to evaluate candidates on: interpersonal skills, teamwork, professionalism, work record quality, skills, experience and core competencies. Review the special rules providing competitive advantages to candidates who are veterans or disabled.
Outsource all aspects of the candidate qualification process, including testing and experience evaluation, verification of post employment, education attainment, criminal background checks, reference checks, drug and alcohol testing, licensure and other reasonable screening actions.
Decentralize the hiring and promotion functions to the operating agencies. The budget process should ne used as a check against potential agency abuse.
Adopt an employee performance evaluation approach that is similar to that used by the provide sector. Agency heads should establish explicit and measurable employee performance goals. Supervisors should be trained to conduct rigorous performance evaluations using measurable criteria. A three tiered approach to performance evaluations should be used: employee, employee’s supervisor and employee’s supervisor’s supervisor.
Implement an incentive pay approach and tie it to the employee evaluation system.
End the satisfactory/unsatisfactory performance appraisal contained in the current CWA contract and replace it with a more finely calibrated performance appraisal system. Outstanding performers should be identified and rewarded.
Undertake a comprehensive review of the State’s discipline and dismissal policies.
Allow local and county governments to opt out of the current system.
Transfer the current Civil Service Commission and its successor organization to the Department of State (Lt. Governor).
Reach out to Buck Consultants to review suggested reforms proposed in 2000 and 2003.

Public Employment Relations Commission –

Appointing Strong, Qualified Commissioners to PERC - Currently, there are three Commissioners that need to be appointed, including the Chairman. It is imperative to appoint a strong and knowledgeable Chairperson to lead PERC, so that he/she can monitor and guide the development and analysis of labor relations issues that are presented to the Commission. Additionally, appointments of PERC Commissioners should be carefully evaluated so that philosophically the appointees share the same view as the administration.
Changes to the interest arbitration statute - The interest arbitration statute is in need of a major overhaul if the economics of our State, at least at the municipal level, are ever to be taken under control.
Charge a filing fee for “unfair practice suits” filed with PERC. - The intent of this legislation would be to minimize the amount of faulty unfair practice claims that are filed every year. PERC must investigate every claim that is filed regardless of circumstance. As a result, PERC uses their limited resources investigating claims, a portion of which are less than legitimate and result in an unintended misuse of PERC resources and taxpayer dollars.
Create specific criterion that outlines the role of neutral arbitrators in PERC. - Currently, the criterion for neutral arbitrators is loosely defined from a variety of previous court decisions. This leads to subjectivity in an arbitrators’ role that is not conducive to assuring their neutrality. An irrefutable outline of criteria for neutral arbitrators should be adopted and abided by to assure consistency and neutrality in the negotiation process.
Create specific criterion for neutral arbitrators to use in deciding public contracts. - As an extension of the above recommendation, this criterion should include allowing neutral arbitrators to consider a municipality’s ability to pay certain increases as a determining factor in the negotiation. The results of other contiguous communities’ police and fire negotiations should not be a factor in municipal negotiations moving forward.

In the long run, the public will understand the need to hire and retain qualified employees in public service. But in the short run, the same type of demagoguery that misled the public into believing that contributions to the State’s public employee pension system could be skipped for years without an impact has again captured the popular imagination.

More than ever public employees need to stick together to fight these unfair attacks. Stay informed and support Council #10 in this battle.

Fraternally,
Karl R. Walko
President

1/24/09

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