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Council #10 Hot Issues:

Applications for $500 Henry J. Dunn, III Scholarships Accepted through March 6

Applications for $500 scholarships through the Council #10 Henry J. Dunn, III Scholarship Program are being accepted in the Council #10 office through the close of business on Friday, March 6. The scholarships will be awarded at the Council #10 General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, March 24. While the number of scholarships awarded depends on available funding and the number of applications submitted, it is hoped that every eligible applicant will receive a $500 scholarship. To be eligible, an applicant must 1) be the child of a Council #10 member is good-standing; 2) be a senior in high school; 3) be certified as "prepared for college" by a high school counselor and 4) submit a fully completed application by March 6. Scholarships are paid directly to the institution after the recipient has earned 12 college credits. Applications will be available in all Camden County high school guidance offices and are available here on this website. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact the Council #10 office. (12/2/08)

Camden Layoffs Implemented/18 Council #10 Represented Employees Lose Job

The long delayed layoff of Camden City employees occurred on November 13. Twenty-six positions were eliminated. Eighteen Council #10 represented employees lost their job. The action was implemented outside civil service layoff procedures. Civil service has governed the appointment, promotion, discipline and layoff of City employees for many, many years. The Union believes the action of the City is counterproductive to management’s relation with its workforce and counterproductive to moving the City forward. Council #10 has already filed a complaint with the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission seeking their intervention based on both a claim to the right of the civil service process and to rights provided specifically in the collective agreement with the City. Council #10 is reaching out to those members directly impacted by the City’s action and intends to vigorously fight on behalf of the employees' rights. The action impacts not only on the individuals terminated but also on all City workers and, in a larger sense, on all public employees in the State of New Jersey covered by the civil service system. This attack on civil service and the creation of a system designed by one man as a replacement to the long accepted State-wide system is an outrage. (11/14/08)

Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial Supports Council #10 in Camden fight

The Philadelphia Inquirer came out in support of the rights of Council #10 and its members in a fight over layoff procedures with City of Camden Chief Operating Officer Theodore Davis in a November 7 editorial. The editorial stated, " [Davis] should sit down with the union and see if they can negotiate how the layoffs will be handled. If he won't, Gov. Corzine, who appointed Davis to the post, should intervene." (11/14/08)

LMC Employee Dinner Recognizes Service to Camden County

The annual Camden County-Council #10 Labor-Management Committee Employee Recognition Dinner was held on November 20 at Paris Catering in Blackwood. The event, this year attended by approximately 250, is held to give formal recognition to the service provided to County residents by County employees. Recent retirees, those reaching 10, 15, 20, 25, etc years of employment in 2008 and the past year's County employees of the month were honored. Also honored were Manager of the Year Herb Steelman, Employee of the Year Marie Meade, Safety Person of the Year George Lowery and Labor-Management Person of the Year Dominic Vesper, Sr. Pictures from the event are in our photo gallery. Additional photos are posted on our Flickr site. (11/24/08)

Council #10 Prosecutor's Office Clerical Unit Reaches Agreement on Contract

After almost three years of negotiations, an agreement was reached between the Camden County Prosecutor and the Council #10 unit representing approximately 60 clerical employees in the Prosecutor's Office. The agreement calls for increases of 4% in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 and 3.75% in 2010. Also as part of the new agreement, all employees will copay health insurance premiums. The agreement was ratified by members (42 ayes to 11 nays) on 11/12 and approved by the Board of Freeholders on 11/13. (11/14/08)

Incumbent Trustees Elected in the City of Camden, One Incumbent & One Newcomer Elected in Gloucester Township

Trustee elections on October 28 resulted in three out of four incumbents returned to the Council #10 Board of Trustees. The Board oversees the operation of the union and is the ultimate base of authority.

In the City of Camden, incumbents Tytanya Ray (82 votes) and Orlando Munoz (75 votes) were returned as trustees for the Non-supervisory Unit. Newcomer Gloria Valentin received 52 votes.

In Gloucester Township, incumbent Olga Pollard (19 votes) and newcomer Cathy Mazza (21 votes) were elected to two positions representing the Goucester Township Administrative Staff Unit. Incumbent Donna Barrett received 15 votes .

(11/2/08)

Spectera Vision Benefit Now UnitedHealthcare Vision

Those employees covered under the Council #10 vision benefit will see a change in the name of the provider. Spectera is being "rebranded" as UnitedHealthcare Vision. The change in name will not result in any change to members, i.e., no change in benefits, no change in the provider experience and no disruption to service or benefit administration. A "Q & A" sheet is available to help answer member questions. If you have additional questions, please contact this office. (9/15/08)

Council #10 Supports "Stop the Violence" in Camden City

Council #10 continued its annual support of the "Stop the Violence" organization headed by Larry Gaines. The organization works to reduce violence in the City of Camden through improving the self-confidence of City youth and providing them with alternative outlets for their energy. The organization's main event is a 3-day weekend basketball tournament. Pictures from this year's tournament can be viewed in our on-line photo gallery.

Council #10 is proud to support Larry Gaines' Stop the Violence Organization. For information or to provide support, contact Larry Gaines at (609) 254-0974. (11/24/08)

Camco HSC Units Ratify Contract Agreement

At a ratification vote on August 14, the Council #10 Regular, Crafts and Supervisory Bargaining Units at the Camden County Health Services Center ratified new contracts. The contracts provide increases totaling 20% over a five-year (2007-20011) period. To address the financial issues of the HSC, the increases are in part delayed. The contract also required health premium contributions from every employee for the first time. However, the contributions are tied to salary and not the more quickly increasing cost of health premiums. President Karl Walko noted that a settlement was not possible in the foreseeable future without health contributions from each employee but that the agreement limits the contribution to 0.75% of salary for employees selecting the lowest cost plan or 1.25% for employees selecting any of the other plans. An employee earning $35,000 per year and selecting the lowest cost plan will pay $262.50/year or approximately $10 per pay period.

Vote Tallies-

REGULAR UNIT:     YES-75   NO-6

CRAFTS UNIT         YES-5     NO-1

SUPERVISORY UNIT    YES-13   NO-1

(8/15/08)

Winslow Unit Approves New Contract

Winslow Township employees represented by Council #10 approved a tentative agreement in a ratification vote on July 8. The vote was 63-19. The new contract runs from 2007-2011 and provides for wage increases of 3.75%, 3.75%, 3.5%, 3.75% and 3.85%. In addition, the lowest two steps in a six step wage scale were eliminated. Employees on the lowest steps will see their salary increased by both the across the board increase recieved by all employees and an additional large increase based on their placement on the new scale. (7/20/08)

NJ Department of Personnel Eliminated Functions Move to Other Departments

(Correction to previous story)

As part of a legislative burst of activity surrounding the passing of the State Fiscal Year 2008 budget, the legislature approved and Governor Corzine signed a bill that eliminated the New Jersey Department of Personnel. While the department was eliminated, its current functions will continue. The human resources functions of the department (Employee Services, Equal Employment Opportunities, Human Resource Development) provided assistance to State departments, many of which had their own HR offices. Some of these functions will be directed to the department HR offices and the remainder will be absorbed by the Treasury Department.

Of most interest to Council #10 members are the functions of the Local Government Activities office and the Selection Services Division. Between the two, they handle job announcements, test scoring, desk audits and layoffs for local government. These functions will move with the Merit System Board (which oversees civil service law and its enforcement) to become the new Civil Service Commission located within but not part of the Labor & Workforce Department. Ironically, the Department of Personnel was created from a prior Civil Service Commission. The changes are not expected to disrupt services. (8/7/08)

Corzine Signs Paid Family Leave Bill

A bill providing workers in New Jersey six weeks of paid family leave per year became law on May 2 when signed by Governor Corzine. In signing the legislation, the Goveror stated, "This family leave insurance bill is personally significant to me. When I was in the hospital after my accident last spring, it was the strong support from my family that kept me going. I was fortunate my family members had the flexibility to be there for me, day-in and day-out. But not everyone has that luxury.

I believe the daily reality of the lives of New Jersey families makes this historic law a necessity. I am confident this self-funded family insurance program will improve family life, fill a gap in our social contract with our citizens, and attract workers to this state. More than ever, I am proud to sign this bill into law on behalf of all working New Jerseyans.”

 

Payroll deductions will begin on January 1, 2009. Most workers will pay about 64 cents a week. Paid family leave will first be available starting July 1 next year. The maximum benefit in 2009 will be $524 per week tax free. New Jersey becomes only the third state to offer paid family leave.

(Star-Ledger Article) (5/17/08)

Negotiations Ongoing

Negotiations are ongoing in the Camden County Large, Blue Collar, Crafts, Mosquito Commission & Supervisory Unit, as well as the Gloucester Township Administrative Staff, PW and Supervisory Units, and the City of Camden Free Library Supervisory and Non-supervisory Units.

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President Karl R. Walko

Dear Friend:

Camden County Council #10 represented employees wore black to work on September 18 to mark the end of the State’s commitment to the recovery of Camden. State appointed Chief Operating Officer Theodore Davis made the State’s intent clear in announcing planned layoffs of 40-60 employees repudiating the intent of the “Municipal Rehabilitation and Recovery Act of 2002”. In signing that legislation, former Governor McGreevey declared, “This new law will provide Camden with the tools it needs for progress and economic growth.” The basis of the legislation was a State promise of resources and assistance in exchange for a nearly complete takeover of local government. While State control was an increasing presence in the City for at least two decades, the Act gave the new “Chief Operating Officer” almost complete administrative power. The Act, in a sense, disenfranchised the residents of the City but with a promise that the takeover would be limited and would “ensure the long-term viability” of the City. In other words, residents’ rights were to be reduced but, in exchange, the State would provide the City with the funding and assistance necessary to turn it around. The first COO, Randy Primas recognized that the State’s primary role should be in expanding the tax base, improving neighborhoods and making life more hopeful for its residents. He focused on redevelopment and worked on the modernization of municipal government and the training of its employees. Primas acknowledged a change in the State’s intent by resigning instead of signing a Memorandum of Understanding that reneged on the promise, noting in a letter to Governor Corzine, dated October 12, 2006, “if the condition of my remaining the Chief Operating Officer is to execute a document that is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Act, and which further marginalizes the people of this City, I will submit my resignation as Chief Operating Officer.”

The State and the region have a stake in the future of Camden if only for self-serving reasons. What happens in Camden does not stay in Camden. Consequently, no one should think that the change is limited to the City. The current Chief Operating Officer seems to measure the results by whether the City’s budget is balanced (whatever that means). The true measure of success for City government is whether it provides satisfactory or at least adequate services to City residents. By that measure it currently fails. The true measure of success for the State and its intervention is whether it initiates the recovery of the City through significant redevelopment. To this date, it has also failed.

Let me point out a number of facts –

  • Camden is the third poorest City in the nation (U.S. Census Bureau)
  • 44% of residents live in poverty (U.S. Census Bureau)
  • 35% of residents are below age 18; 47% below age 25 (U.S. Census Bureau)
  • The poverty in the City is well below any city in New Jersey. It is last (702nd) in the State in per capita income ($9,815).  (Newark is only 9 places below as 693rd but per capita income in Newark is $13,009 or 33% more) (U.S. Census Bureau & NJ State Data Center)
  • New Jersey has the highest household income $61, 672 (2005); Franklin Lakes has the highest in New Jersey ($132,373) (U.S. Census Bureau)
  • Property tax represents 45% of State and local own source revenue. Forty-eight and one half percent (48.5%) of the properties in Camden are tax exempt. (New Jersey Policy Perspective)
  • 11.6% of the addresses in the City are listed as either vacant or unknown (USPS)

These facts make clear it that 1) Camden has a great need for government services; 2) Camden cannot pay for those services itself; 3) The tax system in the State of New Jersey works against the interests of Camden and established the current problem. Let me also remind Council that much of the $175 million directed towards the City’s recovery as part of the MRERA was spent on institutions that do not pay property taxes (the New Jersey State Aquarium (now Adventure Aquarium), Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Cooper Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Camden County College (from the New Jersey Economic Recovery Board Projects Report – May 2008). All of these may be worthwhile investments but none will provide replacement revenue for reductions in State allocations.

Reducing the amount of services provided to City residents is an admittance of failure by the State. Furthermore, it is taking two steps back after taking one step forward. Both the residents of the City and the residents of the region and even the entire State will be the losers. There is a greater not a lesser need for services in the City provided by Council #10 represented employees—filling potholes, boarding up vacant houses, maintaining City parks, buildings and cemeteries, cleaning vacant lots and alleys, maintaining traffic signs and signals, serving the youth (35% of the City’s population is under 18 / 5,000 juvenile offenses occurred in each of 2004, 2005 and 2006)  and the elderly through recreation activities, providing inspection services to improve the quality of life and ensure compliance with construction and maintenance requirements, answering emergency calls and all those other services and support services necessary in a city.

In one area, the State has recognized a need for additional funding. The current COO makes $225,000—$50,000 more than Randy Primas. His office budget is also greater than under Primas (While the front-line employee gets terminated, the top employee gets a huge raise).

Adding to the misery for employees is the COO’s intent not to use the civil service procedures to implement the staffing reduction. Civil service regulations have long been a part of City government. For many years, employees have been hired, promoted, terminated and laid off using these regulations. While in the extremely short-term, these regulations may seem as an impediment to efficient government, they provide limits to arbitrary and coercive power in hiring, firing and promotions which in the long term more than makes them more than worthwhile. They provide some sense of “fairness” to the process which otherwise would be continuously questioned by employees, those served by the City and those that provide funding to the City. Furthermore, since civil service regulations were the “rules” for City employees for so many years, this disregard is unjust and detestable. However, by not using the regulations, the City will be sending a message to all employees that their only loyalty must be to the COO and not to the residents of the City or its elected representatives. Finally, they will reasonably conclude that their career as a civil servant is completely dependent on the whims of one individual and not the rules of a generally fair system. While some may point out that private sector hiring and firing is not, for the most part, controlled by outside rules, private sector employees are only accountable to their employer and not to the public. We believe that a system that made public employees accountable only to their employer and not the public would be a huge step backward for responsible government. There is a reason for civil service and it should not be ignored.

Council #10 will oppose the COO’s planned action fully and completely. We will fight through all legal means as well as in the court of public opinion. We ask that State residents considering what the further desolation of Camden will mean and whether the abandonment of the civil service system is the best thing for everyone. We ask you to join us in our fight.

 
Fraternally,
Karl R. Walko
President

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