On behalf of the entire membership of the Hoboken Police Department, which we collectively represent, we submit this letter of thanks and appreciation to Mayor Dave Roberts for leading the way in having the Hoboken Policemen's Benevolent Association and Police Superior Officers' Association's Collective Bargaining Agreements finally settled after three long years.
We appreciate the Mayor's final intervention in settling our contract disputes ending the arbitration process, helping the professional men and women of the Hoboken Police Department receive a fair and solid contract as we move into 2008 and giving our salary scales their first raise in four years. Mayor Roberts has always advocated his commitment to the public safety of Hoboken. He has shown this in the past with our prior contract, appointments of new officers and promotions. Mayor Roberts is again showing his devotion to public safety with the anticipated hiring of new police officers to replace those who have retired and those retiring this year. He maintains his commitment to his vision of a completely staffed table of organization in the police department. It is this vision that gives us the resources necessary in keeping Hoboken one of the safest urban communities in the State of New Jersey.
We would also like to thank others who were influential in bringing about this collective bargaining agreement. First, the City Council members who voted unanimously for both the P.B.A. and P.S.O.A. contracts; Councilpersons Peter Cammarano, Terry LaBruno, Ruben Ramos Jr., Beth Mason, Michael Russo, Dawn Zimmer, Peter Cunningham and Nino Giacchi. Also we extend a special thank you to Council President Terry Castellano who participated in the council meeting via telephone conference due to illness. We also would like to extend our thanks to Public Safety Director William Bergin who took an immediate interest in helping resolve the unions' contracts upon his appointment.
Contract negotiations always bring spirited debate and dead-locking issues that arise between management and labor. Management takes strong stances on important issues that sometimes lead to drawn out battles. We offer our utmost respect to both Business Administrator Richard England and Police Chief Carmen V. LaBruno for upholding and representing the city's stances on several issues, while always keeping the communication channels open during this entire process, right through its culmination. We would also like to unconditionally thank each and every member of the Hoboken Police Department for their patience and support and confidence in us as their union representatives during this process, and they should understand that they have earned this contract agreement based on their 24/7/365 commitment to the citizens of Hoboken.
Again, Mayor Roberts, thank you for your past, current and future dedication and commitment to public safety. We look forward to working with you in 2008 as we keep moving this department forward in a progressive manner.
Sincerely,
Vince Lombardi, President
Hoboken Policemen's Benevolent Association
Sgt. Ken Ferrante, President
Hoboken Police Superior Officers' Association
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