Police negotiations ‘break down' and spark harsh words

Byram manager says rising costs of benefits make contribution necessary By Jane Primerano Byram —The police union says negotiations with Byram Township have “broken down” and have gone to arbitration. Township officials are negotiating with all three municipal unions simultaneously, and the police union is the biggest of the three. Officer John Hulse, a member of the police negotiating team, accused the township council of maintaining a “head in the sand policy and leaving it to the manager.” Outside the municipal building Hulse and other officers gathered to air their grievances to the press. He accused the township’s manager, Greg Poff, of “running Byram into the ground.” Officer Todd Duffy said the police have asked for nothing extra, even though they are now pulling extra duty because an officer was called up to the army reserves. Hulse said the police are proud of the job they do and of their relationship with township residents. Officer Greg Ganski said the police union was not looking for arbitration and questioned the council’s commitment to cost cutting when “the town manager has been given $5,000 in moving expenses and a $500-a-month vehicle allowance.” “They have spent a lot of money for labor attorneys and cancelled an arbitration meeting on 18 hours notice,” Hulse added. “They still have to pay $1,200 for that meeting.” Poff said the township’s labor counsel, Tom Ryan of Lockie and Ryan, had a scheduling conflict on the day the arbitration had been scheduled. The attorney would have only had two hours to meet with the township and police negotiators, he said. Because Ryan felt the arbitration could be resolved in one meeting, Poff said, he thought it should be open-ended. Hulse agreed it is possible to complete negotiations in one meeting. Hulse said the police union objects to having to contribute to their benefits package, claiming it will result in a de facto 4 percent pay cut. He noted that members of the township council receive benefits. Mayor Eskil Danielson said council members have been offered benefits for about 30 years and have been contributing to them since an ordinance was adopted earlier this year. He said few council members take advantage of the offer. Poff said the decision to ask employees to contribute was based on the rising costs of benefits. Accusing Poff of being “a brand-new town manager with no experience in negotiating,” Hulse said: “Look at Poff. The first time our contract can’t be settled is the first time he’s in charge. He can’t bring anything to resolution. An arbitrator is coming in for each of the unions.” In an interview in his office, Poff said it was the police union that brought negotiations to arbitration. “We met with them three times, and at the end of the third session their attorney indicated he would file for arbitration,” he said. “It came as a surprise to the township.” The manager noted he is in active negotiations with the five full-time and three part-time clerical workers. A mediator has been appointed to help reach an agreement with the nine-member department of public works. Hulse said he listened to the tapes of the July 17 meeting and noted that after an executive session, Poff referred to longevity pay as “payment for just showing up.” In a telephone interview, Poff said he didn’t recall exactly how he worded his comment, but maintained, “I do not support longevity pay. I believe pay should be based on merit.” Hulse also said Poff “left Randolph for cause.” Poff said he resigned as assistant to the township manager in Randolph Township to take the job as manager in Byram in 2004.