NJ Cops Feb18 | Page 40

2018 NJ STATE PBA Collective Bargaining Seminar

Atlantic City Local takes the well-rested approach

Atlantic City Local 24 member Garry Stowe ascertained two effective ways to keep up with the volume of essential information disseminated during the Collective Bargaining Seminar .
“ Study on lunch break ,” Stowe quipped . “ And get some sleep so you will be fresh for the sessions .”
Beyond negotiating contracts , benefits , pensions , retirement planning , financial analysis and healthcare tips , the seminar includes attorneys lecturing about other significant issues that Locals are facing every day . The Officers ’ Rights presentation has always been one of the most relevant to members . “ Protecting the Rights of Employees Who Serve and Protect Us ” by Merrick Limsky and Marcia Mitolo of Limsky & Mitolo , a session that includes the latest on the use of on-body video , has also provided timely data .
Members of Local 24 attending the 2018 seminar noted the impact of these sessions .
“ One I look forward to is Officers ’
Rights ,” appraised Jules Schwenger , the Local 24 secretary . “ Some of the updated social media stuff is very applicable . We need to get it out to our people so they don ’ t make bad decisions .”
T . J . Moynihan , Local 24 ’ s past president who is now a sergeant , was impressed with the information about the current state of body camera use .
“ The information they gave on the body cameras was pretty good ,” Moynihan commented . “ Some of the incidents where officers are coming back , and Internal Affairs is watching the videos , result in guys getting write-ups for a minor mistake . It seems like the PBA is looking at that . It was interesting to see that it is a bigger global problem with the cameras , and it seems like it ’ s starting to be addressed .” d
40 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ FEBRUARY 2018