NPU Family,
Lots to discuss and update membership on…..
First….NPU is victorious in BOTH arbitration hearings for Units G and L! We worked extremely hard and put a lot of time into preparation and the hearings for both Units. NPU continues to do things the right way, sometimes not always the fastest or efficient, but we prevail in the battles we engage in. To update members on exactly what is in our proposals in arbitration:
Unit G:
- 3% COLA raise starting July 1, 2025
- 3% COLA raise starting July 1, 2026
- Longevity pays (starting at year 1, paid starting year 5)
- Accrued at .5% per year. Max accumulation of 12.5%
- Education compensation added
- 2% for Intermediate POST certificate
- 2% for Advanced POST certificate
Unit L:
- Annual Leave accrual to 480 hours
- Comp Accrual up to 240 hours
- Annual leave accrual at 20-year mark added – 2 ¼ hours per pay period
- 60 min paid lunch
- 3% COLA raise starting July 1, 2025
- 3% COLA raise starting July 1, 2026
- 2 personal leave days
- Holiday pay PER SHIFT (mirrors Unit G’s current contract)
- Special Pay Adjustments (mirrors Unit G’s current contract)
- Line of Duty Death benefits
- Up to $20,000 reimbursement of funeral expenses
- 100% pay out of Annual Leave, Comp Leave and Sick Leave to your beneficiary
- $2000 Retention yearly bonus (paid quarterly)
- $1400 Uniform and Equipment allowance
- Education Bonus
- Associate’s degree – $600
- Bachelor’s Degree/Management POST Certificate – $1200
- Master’s degree/Executive POST Certificate – $150
As you can see, much of the compensation items mirror what is in Unit G’s current contract. I want to emphasize that we used Unit G’s current contract as a foundation for negotiations to get Unit L’s first CBA established. Please note that Unit L’s contract is much stronger than Unit G’s first contract. This was of great benefit for negotiations to get more than just a basic 1st contract.
Let me take a minute now to explain what the next steps are to get our contracts through to completion. I touched on this a little bit last month, but I will do a deeper dive for all to read and hopefully have a better understanding.
Both contracts are complete, voted on and ratified. Unit G’s contract went out to vote last week and passed with 99% “yes” votes with approximately 200 votes cast. The Unit L vote went out shortly after and approximately 80 members voted with 100% “yes” votes.
Now that both CBAs have been voted on, passed and ratified by membership, they must go before the Board of Examiners (BOE) for a vote. The board consists of the Governor, Secretary of State, and the Attorney General. I have already met with or will be meeting with all three of these Board members to emphasize the importance of our contracts. Important note, the contracts only need a majority to pass. So, 2 of the 3 votes need to be “YES.” So 1 “no” vote does not hurt us.
UPDATE – BOTH CBAs ARE ON THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS HEARING SET FOR Thursday MAY 29TH.
Look for the link to the meeting on NPU’s social media as the date gets closer
After the contracts are voted on, and hopefully passed, the Legislature needs to create a bill to fund the contracts. From there, the Legislature will vote to pass the bill to fund. Then it goes to the Governor to sign. I will be meeting with the Governor at some point to push the importance of our CBAs. And yes, there is a possibility that the Governor can “veto” the bill, but I am working behind the scenes to try to make sure that does not happen. This week I am meeting with several Legislators from both the Senate and Assembly to inform them, if they do not already know, that we won both arbitration cases. Although I find it hard to believe that there are still a few people that do not follow my exciting, invigorating, delightful, informative, hysterical, amazing, inspiring, and just all around awesome social media posts! Anyway, I want to make sure as many legislators as possible are made aware of what is going on regarding our arbitration wins and have it at least in the back of their minds when these pay bills come up and how important they are for public safety.
Keep your fingers crossed for a positive outcome. Again, if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact me directly. As many of you know, I love the opportunity to have conversations so I can get you the information you need.
Lastly, DPS-Highway Patrol will be sending an email out soon for a “climate study.” This “survey” is for the Highway Patrol Division specifically. Please be incredibly open and honest with your answers but also remember to keep your answers professional and respectful. DPS is looking for a true picture, the good, bad, or indifferent of what is going on within DPS-Highway Patrol Division. If you have input about the NHP Colonel and Lt Colonel vacancies you can add who you think is a good fit, or not a good fit and why. This is a great opportunity to add any input, good, bad, indifferent, about any and all ranks from the Director on down. There will also be an opportunity to meet with the people assigned to the climate survey and they are having face-to-face meetings if that is what you prefer. Again, if it is not something you feel comfortable taking part in, you can always share with me, and I can pass on the information (anonymous of course) which many have already done. Or any other issues you want to discuss. This is a significant opportunity to voice your opinion.
Cheers,
Dan
775-781-5859
