Four New Jersey unions are asking a court to stop mandatory furloughs of public workers. Yesterday, March 30, 2009, the New Jersey Policemen’s Benevolent Association and the Communication Workers of America, which collectively represent 93,000 police officers, firefighters and rank-and-file state and municipal workers, filed separate actions in the Superior Court of New
March 2009
Ocean County Police Chief Charges that Budget Cuts Prevents Department from Fulfilling Its Mission
By Frank M. Crivelli on
Posted in Pay and Overtime
Point Pleasant Beach Police Chief, Daniel DePolo, has charged that the budgetary cuts initiated by the Borough Government are so deep that they are placing the public safety at risk and will prevent the police department from fulfilling its mission. Recent budget cuts have chopped the Department’s overtime budget by 75% and have made cuts…
Potential for Reimbursement of Wages Received During Period of Suspension
By Frank M. Crivelli on
Posted in Civil Service Appeals, Public Employee Discipline
On March 20, 2009, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey decided the case of Wade v. Colaner. In the case, plaintiff, a Tinton Falls police officer, was pulled over by New Jersey State Troopers for speeding. Plaintiff was subsequently charged with careless driving, obstruction of administration of law, and resisting arrest. On…
Securing A Raise In Wages And Benefits During An Economic Recession
By Frank M. Crivelli on
Posted in Contract Negotiations
A very interesting article and interview most recently appeared in the New York Times regarding police salaries, pay raises, furloughs, and lay offs in the Township of East Brunswick. The article has relevance to the entire state of the economy in New Jersey. We wanted to share this article with you as it is pertinent to…
Merit System Board Increase of Disciplinary Penalty Upheld
By Frank M. Crivelli on
Posted in Public Employee Discipline
On March 20, 2009, the Appellate Division decided In the Matter of Larry Martin, Docket No.: A-3271-07T3. In the case, Larry Martin, a police officer with the City of Jersey City, appealed from a disciplinary penalty imposed upon him by the Merit System Board.
Martin, who had been a member of the…
Defense to Lawsuit Arising Out of Action During Side-Business Not Subject to Reimbursement
By Frank M. Crivelli on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
On March 16, 2009, the Appellate Division decided Siaw v. Valenzuala. In the case, Defendant Diomedes Valenzuala, a police officer, appealed from the judgment of the trial court denying his claims against his former employer, the Township of Irvington, for indemnification pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-155 in connection with his defense of a lawsuit against…
180 Day Bill Signed and Committed Into Law
By Frank M. Crivelli on
Posted in Civil Service Appeals
On March 5, 2009, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine signed and committed into law the “180 day bill” designed to expedite disciplinary proceedings when law enforcement officers and firefighters are suspended without pay by limiting the number of days pay can be suspended while hearings are still pending.
Corzine stated in a press release…
Freedom of Association Claim Permitted to Go Forward
By Frank M. Crivelli on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
On February 3, 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit decided the case of LaPosta v. Borough of Roseland. In the case, plaintiff, Joseph LaPosta, a police officer, alleges Defendants, the Borough of Roseland and its Police Chief, retaliated against him after he attempted to join a police organization of which…
Sheriff’s Officer Responsible for Reimbursement of Training Costs
By Frank M. Crivelli on
Posted in Pay and Overtime
In the case of Spicuzzo, Sheriff of Middlesex County et al. v. Barcheski, App Div., 33-2-2859, the Appellate Division approved a final judgment entered in favor of the Plaintiff, the Sheriff of Middlesex County, where in the Defendant in the case was ordered to reimburse the department $8,469.48 pursuant to a written contract outside of…
Police Promotion Discrimination Suit Dismissed
By Frank M. Crivelli on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
On February 9, 2009, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey decided the case of Martin v. City of East Orange. In the case, plaintiffs, two police officers, alleged that in failing to promote them in 2003, when officers ranked below them were recommended for promotion, although not promoted, the defendants…