New Local on board
Randolph Local 403 finds PBA provides exactly
what its members are looking for
n BY LISA ARCELLA
For Dave Spence, it was a completely logical choice to move
his union alliance to the NJ State PBA.
“We just felt the PBA was a better fit for us,” reasoned Spence,
the new president of Randolph Local 403, whose collective bar-
gaining unit began its affiliation with the PBA this past summer,
along with Local 403A for the department’s superiror officers.
“We liked the legal protection with the PBA. There are a lot more
options compared to the FOP.”
Spence, who has been on the job for five years, says the de-
cision to switch was simply about having prerogatives. Under
previous affiliation, if a Randolph officer needed an attorney,
he or she could choose one of the 25 or so options available na-
tionally.
The problem was that a lot of those lawyers weren’t nearby.
Now with the PBA, there is even an attorney available to mem-
bers in the town of Randolph.
“The PBA has a larger presence in New Jersey and more le-
gal defense resources, so there are just more options,” he ex-
plained. “And more police departments in New Jersey are PBA,
including all of our neighboring towns.”
Randolph officers were invited to a presentation held at
Rockaway Township Local 287 that detailed the benefits of PBA
membership. The session covered the PBA’s resources dedicat-
ed to legal protection, collective bargaining, pension benefits,
health benefits and clinical services, as well as its vast network
of experienced delegates available to advise on just about every
union-related issue. In addition to State President Pat Colligan
and Executive Vice President Marc Kovar speaking at the pre-
sentation, the state PBA’s collective bargaining, health benefits
and pension experts also presented information.
“I was there, and after that meeting everything, seemed to
make sense from a financial and legal aspect,” Spence said. Ul-
timately, his 32 members voted overwhelmingly to make the
switch.
“Some people who have been both FOP and PBA have told
me that they didn’t care either way, but from what I have seen
so far, the PBA has been very accommodating and welcoming,”
he continued. “They seem very active and have assisted us a lot
in moving over. My experiences have been great.”
Spence added that most of the neighboring towns also being
PBA can only benefit his Local. The relationship will pay divi-
dends from a law enforcement and a labor perspective.
“It created something of a barrier when we weren’t PBA and
we were discussing contracts,” he detailed. “By being PBA, we
will be attending the same meetings as the towns around us and
getting the same information. And maybe they have had the
same issues that we are having, so it will give the towns around
us a better idea of what we are going through, and we will be
able to know what’s happening with them and what’s working
for them.”
Spence also recognized that there could also be a possible
cost savings for his members down the line as well.
“We have kept the dues per officer the same right now, but if
everything works out, hopefully there will be a savings,” Spen-
“
“Everything seemed to make sense from
a financial and legal aspect.”
Randolph Local 403 President Dave Spence
on deciding to join the NJ State PBA
ce explained. “We also have our contract coming up next year.
I would say that’s one of the biggest differences. With the FOP,
they have a labor committee that if you pay them, they will
come in and help with your contract. Now, we will hire our
own attorney. And at the same time, the PBA provides us with a
ton of information, especially from the neighboring towns and
what they have done with their contracts.”
Spence noted that he is confident that he and his colleagues
made the right choice.
“We just felt that this was a better fit for us, and a lot of the
guys are excited about it,” he emphasized. “A lot of members
from other towns have been reaching out to us and have been
welcoming. It’s been a great experience so far.” d
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