CREST HAVEN — Four sergeants and 33 sheriff's officers in the county Sheriff's Department, who are members of Police Benevolent Association Local 59, ratified a four-year contract, which was approved by freeholders Nov. 25.

Those officers provide Law Division with a variety of services, including court protection, K-9 unit, and warrant services, among others.

According to county Administrator Stephen O'Connor, the contract is similar in wages and benefits to one approved Aug. 26 for the department's corrections officers.

The contract begins Jan. 1, 2009 and continues until Dec. 31, 2012.

One of the main differences, according to O'Connor, is the work hours.

For those covered under the PBA contract, a workday is 8.25 hours with a 41.25-hour workweek, which may be scheduled Sunday through Saturday.

Corrections officers generally work a 12-hour day, said O'Connor.

Like their union peers, the PBA members will give up the day after Christmas and Lincoln's Birthday as holidays.

Pay hikes may be suspended for six months if an individual has seven undocumented sick days, down from eight in the previous contract.

Additionally, should an officer have any major discipline taken against them, their salary hikes will also be suspended, O'Connor said.

A sheriff's officer hired for the first three years of the contract will earn $31,473, annually. That amount will increase to $33,474 in the last year of the contract.

Over the life of the contract, top personnel will get 4.6 percent increases in each year.

Those at the top tier of officers, who presently earn $66,210 will earn $69,188 in 2009, $72,082 in 2010, $75,166 in 2011 and $81,072 in 2012.

Those at the bottom tier will earn in those same years, $37,756, $41,352, $43,662 and $49,882.

Sergeants earning $71,267 this year will make $74,768 in 2009, $78,408 in 2010, $82,194 in 2011 and $87,882 in 2012.
A separate contract with lieutenants and captains remains in negotiations.

Civilian employees in the department are covered by the contract with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com