The Plainsboro Committee adopted an ordinance January 27 setting the 2010 salaries for its police officers and white collar employees. Last March, the township ratified agreements with the two unions representing the employees and subsequently approved an ordinance adjusting the salaries to reflect the collective bargaining agreement. The new ordinance is a formal implementation of those salaries for 2010.
The agreements with Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 319, and the Communication Workers of America Local 1032 enabled the township to save money through reduced healthcare costs, officials said.
The PBA agreement covered between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010, and included changes to administrative operations regarding how compensatory and vacation time is taken. The PBA represents police personnel with the ranks of patrolman and corporal.
At the core of the agreement are economic issues including salary and healthcare adjustments. The salary increase for the three years in the contract for the members of the bargaining units is 4 percent for all three years. In exchange, the township receives some concessions that will reduce healthcare costs.
With regard to salary, Plainsboro also added a step to the salary guide that will save money as it relates to new hires. Salaries were frozen in 2009 and will continue to be in 2010 for new officers. In 2009 the starting salary for a police officer was $49,638, and anyone hired during that time as a new employee will keep that salary through 2010.
The township has also worked out similar savings in the agreement drafted with the Communication Workers of America.
