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Freeholders and Corrections Officers Reach Tenative Agreement

The Camden County Freeholders are pleased to announce that they have reached a tentative agreement with PBA 351, which represents the correction officers, on a contract covering the years 2006-2012. The agreement has been ratified by the union membership and awaits the formal approval of the Freeholder Board, which is anticipated at their next monthly meeting on June 17th.
 
“With the support and cooperation of the Corrections Officers, we were able to make cutting-edge structural changes to contracts,” said Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “These changes reflect the absolute necessity to control the cost of government.  Camden County has consistently moved in this direction over the last several years.
 
“We thank PBA 351’s leadership, as well as its members, for the responsible manner in which they approached negotiations in these difficult times,” Freeholder Director Cappelli said.
 
 While the union made a number of concessions to management, they were able to secure significant compromise on certain issues, as well as a modest salary increase going forward.
 
The agreement includes:
 
  • A zero raise year in 2010, followed by a 2.9 percent increase in 2011 and 2.9 percent in 2012
  • Contribution for health insurance by all employees
  • Higher doctor and prescription co-pays
  • Acceptance of a “mirror clause” that requires contribution for health insurance for retirees
  •  A cap on sick time sell back
  •  The elimination of step increases for new employees by restructuring their salary scale
  • A measure of job security for the correction officers.
 
The agreement also includes the ability to move to 12-hour shifts, which will significantly reduce overtime.
 
The County is also working with corrections officers to reduce the 73 percent recidivism rate among inmates by looking at treatment and re-entry programs.