Albrecht, who has taken over as the Local 238 State Delegate.
“He was always able to work things out. And it usually worked
out for the better.”
As for the motivation to complete the negotiation prepara-
tion, well, Cernek offers this inspiration:
“I always looked at it that this is my life, and anything I do in
negotiation affects me and my family,” he shared. “It’s not just
for my career but into my retirement, so I expended all the en-
ergy I could to get the most out of it.”
He brought the same type of energy to spearheading the PBA
Collective Bargaining Seminar, and from the podium to start
each session to the registration desk to answer each question,
he rarely rested during the three-day event. O’Brien credits
Cernek with growing the attendance to nearly 500 this year, the
most ever.
Cernek submits that 600 should be the target for next year’s
seminar. He said he will keep his email and cell phone at the
ready to make that goal, even though he will be moving to Flor-
ida to enjoy retirement.
His partner and wife for the past 12 years, Patty, has been in
Florida setting up their life of retirement. He praises her as the
perfect PBA wife, and many members know her from accompa-
nying Cernek to the many functions that he attended.
They are planning to stop by the PBA Mini Convention on
March 6 to say a last farewell before riding off into the sunshine.
Cernek anticipates shedding a few more tears that day over
what he is leaving behind.
“All of the women and men in the PBA I have been involved
with the past 25-and-a-half years, I consider them family,” he
revealed. “I’m grateful for all the time I have doing this and the
people who have been coming to me for advice and even lis-
tening to what I have to say. I’m happy to have shared that little
tiny part.” d
NJ State PBA Executive Vice President Marc Kovar congratulates John
Cernek after receiving an ovation from members at the Collective Bargain-
ing Seminar.
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ FEBRUARY 2018 4