Professional Firefighters Association
of
New Jersey
International Association of Fire Fighters State Association
--Always on the Front Line Protecting "New Jersey's Bravest"--
--Established 1929--
Member of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO
Welcome to the home page of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, proudly representing the interests and concerns of New Jersey's Bravest and their loved ones.
We encourage our membership to periodically, if not several times daily, review the contents of this web site and it's various departments, in order to remain up to date and conversant on the issues facing our profession in the 21st century.
In the event you need more specific or additional information, we further encourage you to submit your inquiry or commentary via e-mail to pfanj@pfanj.org. We will endeavor to provide any needed information or address any concern in a timely manner.
ATTENTION ALL UNION BROTHERS & SISTERS
In a show of STRENGTH, SUPPORT and SOLIDARITY, Hackensack Locals 2081 and 3172 are requesting ALL UNION BROTHERS and SISTERS to join in a Large Scale Picket Line on
Thursday, Aug. 28th @ 11am,
at Hackensack University Medical Center(HUMC)
We are to meet in the area Hackensack University Medical Center(HUMC) by 10:45am to kick off at 11am SHARP!!!!
Park in the vicinity, Beech and Overlook or near the High School Parking lot. Be advise, Summit Avenue has two hour parking limits!!!
THURSDAY, AUG. 28 - Large Scale Picket Line/ RALLY Wear your
RED SHIRTS or Union Shirt!!!
We cannot stress how important it is that we get full cooperation from all OFF DUTY MEMBERS to participate in these events.
Please make every effort to attend!!!
Fraternally,
John Linquito - President, IAFF Local 2081
Charles Grieco - President, IAFF Local 3172
SAVE HACKENSACK FIRE EMS
http://www.saveHFDEMS.com
To: All Local Presidents, Delegates and Members of the PFANJ From: Kevin Gallagher, IAFF 1st District Vice President Date: August 25, 2008 Subject: New GI Bill Many of our members have served in the military and some are currently serving right now. Below is a link to info on the new GI Bill (crafted and sponsored by Senator Jim Webb [D-VA) that was recently signed into law. The new provisions will go into effect August 2009. I believe the Department of Veteran Affairs is doing a mailing to eligible veterans but if you want to review the info it is availabe at: http://www.gibill.va.gov/S22/Post_911_Factsheet.pdf Basically the new Bill covers full college or technical school tuition at the highest (public) in State rate where the veteran resides. The Bill also provides for book fees and a monthly living stipend. A recent article in the Army Times estimates that the average allowance for the monthly stipend will be about $1100.00 per month , the average monthly tuition $1450.00 per month and the average book fees $1000.00 per year. Overall it is estimated that the new Bill will provide on average about $80,000.00 of educational benefit (including the monthly living expense) over a four year period. The new GI Bill is retroactive back to September 10, 2001.
Kevin Gallagher |
The IAFF is collaborating with Novartis Pharmaceuticals on a campaign to raise our members awareness on the dangers of high blood pressure. For those who are unaware, Novartis provided free blood pressure screenings in the exhibit area during convention. More than 400 of our members took advantage of this opportunity.
We are looking for members who have taken steps to control their blood pressure. The method used isn’t important. We are not endorsing any product or medication. The campaign is simply to raise awareness and to encourage members to discuss treatment options with their physician.
Members who would like to participate in this important campaign are requested to contact:
Jim Brinkley
Director of Occupational Health and Safety
International Association of Fire Fighters
1750 New York Avenue
Washington DC 20006
(Office) 202-824-9303
Testimonials have been a key factor to other members seeking assistance in health and wellness programs.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger delivers
"State of the Union" Address During the
49th IAFF Convention
Click here for a video presentation of this message
History of the IAFF -
90 Years of Service
Click here for a new video about our proud union
As anticipated, the IAFF has received many requests for convention videos. Inasmuch, a Convention Opening Ceremony highlights DVD is being produced. The DVD will be distributed by request to local affiliate officers.
Please forward all requests for videos to your respective PFANJ District Vice President.
Come see your favorite player take the field at Yankee Stadium
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
There are no seats available for any remaining Yankee home games.
Saint Barnabas is raffling off 5
of the
opportunities listed below!
Raffle tickets are $100 and only 1,000 raffle tickets will be sold.
Limit 1 raffle ticket per person. Odds of winning: 1 out of 200!
Imagine your favorite kid training with Yankees coaches on the field at Yankee Stadium. And then joining you in a luxury suite to enjoy one of the last games ever played in The House That Ruth Built.
On September 14th*, this
dream will come true for the 15 lucky boys and girls,
ages 7 to 14, who participate in Barry Halper’s Hitters
Go To Bat for The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas.
This incredible package includes:
• Honing pitching, fielding and hitting skills with New York Yankees coaches
• Standing on the field for the National Anthem
• Four (4) Luxury Suite tickets to watch the Yankees face the Tampa Bay Rays*
• Private breakfast at Yankee Stadium’s Sidewalk Café
• Personalized welcome message on the centerfield message board
• Personalized Yogi Berra-signed baseball
• Customized Yankees jersey and more!
Click here for a flyer containing additional information
Firefighters Back Adler For Congress "Adler will fight for real change in Washington" For Immediate Release: July 21st, 2008 / Contact: Mary Campbell (856.222.9707) (Mt. Laurel, NJ) – The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey endorsed Democratic nominee John Adler today in the open seat race for New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District. The firefighters continue the growing list of groups such as the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police, the Recreational Fishing Alliance, and the Sierra Club that endorsed Jim Saxton in 2006, but are now supporting Democrat John Adler. Senator Adler was joined by Congressman Joe Crowley of New York, whose cousin, a New York City Fire Department Battalion Chief, was killed in the attacks on September 11th, 2001. Dominick Marino, the President of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey said, "The firefighters in New Jersey have a true advocate in John Adler. He has been a tireless activist for our brave men and women in uniform in the State Senate, and in Congress he will continue that same record on our behalf." "I am honored that the firefighters of New Jersey have decided to support my candidacy and stand with me in my campaign to bring common sense solutions and real change to Washington," said Adler. "Every day the brave men and women who comprise the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey risk their lives to keep us out of harms way. In Congress, I will fight to make sure that all firefighters have access to affordable health care and the prescription drug coverage that they so rightly deserve." Congressman Crowley added, "John Adler has demonstrated throughout his career a real commitment to working men and women, and to first responders. I look forward to John joining me in Congress, where together we will continue this important fight on behalf of firefighters and first responders." Since 1929, the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey has grown to in excess of sixty (60) local unions of every size and complexity representing in excess of 3,500 of New Jersey's approximately 6,000 professional firefighters. |
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IAFF Releases Third Resource for the Labor Information Database The Wage and Compensation Database, developed as the third resource in the IAFF Labor Information Database, is NOW AVAILABLE online. This new resource makes a searchable wage/salary database available to leaders as needed, allowing users to develop a list of municipalities for comparative purposes using population and other geographical and demographic data. Demographic data contained within the Wage and Compensation Database is from the U.S. Census Bureau and Stat Canada. Users can develop their own list of jurisdictions, then prepare charts for the rank of fire fighter for years 1, 6, 11, 16 and 20 of service. Charts include information on base salary, longevity pay, scheduled hours of work, leave hours, holiday hours and personal hours. The Labor Information Database, created in partnership with the Federation of State and Provincial Professional Fire Fighters, includes three online resources designed to give local leaders rapid access to key information through a password-protected web site. The first product, the Collective Bargaining Agreement/Wage Schedule Library, is searchable by province or state, and was released in December 2007. IAFF affiliate leaders can search from more than 1,600 salary schedules, memorandums of understanding or contracts using this secure Library. A Model Contract Clause Database, developed as the second resource in the Labor Information Database, is searchable by clause type and links to the main Online Contract Library for easy reference -- from model clauses to full collective agreement language. Restricted to affiliate leaders, this Model Contract Clause Database is a valuable resource for local affiliates at the bargaining table and in informal talks with their employer. Keep in mind that only those IAFF affiliates that have submitted their current salary schedule, memorandum of understanding or contract for inclusion in the database are able to gain access to this valuable resource. Don't be left out! Email your collective bargaining agreements, MOUs and salary schedules to mshaffer@iaff.org or mail to: IAFF Labor Issues and Collective Bargaining |
To: All Local Presidents, Delegates and Members of the PFANJ From: Kevin Gallagher, IAFF 1st District Vice President Date: July 15, 2008 Subject: IAFF Database This month, the IAFF Database was expanded to include items which can be of great value to our union leadership when preparing for contract negotiations. One item is a section on our website called “Contract Language.” This section allows you to review contract language on any subject that may be part of your current contract, or items you may add to you future contracts. The site will give you 3 sample contract wordings on each of 70 + items listed for you to review. Anything from uniform allowance, to overtime, to drug and alcohol testing language. This could be of great assistance to you, in addition to saving money, by allowing you to come up with the proper wording without the need of an. The second item is the “Wage Database.” This permits the local membership to compare other municipalities base on demographics, population, or area. For example, if your city has a population of 50,000, you could review the salaries and benefits of 10 cities of similar size. Now you will have something that you can use to compare benefits when seeking a contract with your city. This could be of great value to challenge the city’s numbers hopefully in your favor. Finally, this new site allows you to review the exact contracts of other cities in your district, as well as across the country. Any contract from Edison, NJ or Rochester, NY, to Los Angeles City to Maui, Hawaii. This can only be done by having the leadership of these cities forward you their respective contracts to the IAFF database. If we have it, now you have it. This information can only be available to you and your local leadership directly, only if you have forwarded your current contract to Michele Shaffer at the IAFF Technical Services Department at IAFF headquarters. Then, and only then, will you have total access to this information. In our own district, less than half of our locals are currently up to date with their contract in database. Let’s make every effort to get your contracts into the IAFF to be placed in our database. Only then will you have total access, otherwise, the only way to get this information will be through the 1st District Vice President Kevin Gallagher. If you need any assistance in obtaining this information contact your respective PFANJ representative. It is very much in your local’s best interest to become a part of the IAFF database. Your will be better informed, and better prepared to deal with the constant battle with your municipalities in trying to get your members and their families what they truly deserve and what they truly deserve and that is a fair and equitable contract.
Kevin Gallagher |
Hundreds Rally for EMTs in Hackensack - June 30, 2008
Click here for photos from the event
Click here for a video from the event
SAVE HACKENSACK FIRE EMS
http://www.saveHFDEMS.com
Click Here: A Thank You From Woodbridge Township Firefighters Local 290
For Supporting Their 2008 St. Baldrick's Event
In response to a request from the fire service, NIOSH is announcing the posting of a new web page titled, Fire Service SCBA Cylinder Part Numbers, (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/firescbacylinder.html).
The page is a quick reference showing cylinder assemblies which are authorized components of NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). This posting lists the SCBA models commonly used in the fire service and the corresponding approved cylinder and valve assemblies based on the information in the NIOSH data base and provided by the manufacturer. Currently two manufacturers are listed, Draeger Safety and Biomarine. Other manufacturers will be added as their information is submitted to NIOSH for posting to this web page.
In general, this list contains the configurations thought to be most common, it may not be comprehensive. The definitive source for information on the components which make up an approved SCBA remains the approval label included in its user instructions. You should refer to this label if there is any question.
Any questions or comments, please contact us at 412-386-4000 or 1-800-232-4636.
To contact NIOSH by e-mail, cdcinfo@cdc.gov.
Mount Laurel Deputy Chief to "Go for the Gold"
Please consider supporting Mount Laurel Deputy Chief John Colucci, IAFF Local 4408, as he embarks on a fundraising drive to participate in the upcoming IAFF Burn Foundation Marine Corps Marathon, to be held on October 26, 2008.
Click here for more details, including how to donate.
PFANJ - NJFOP PENSION LITIGATION UPDATE - APRIL 17, 2008
The PFANJ and FOP NJ State Lodge held a telephone conference with attorneys Stanley Epstein and Melvin Greenberg on February 12, 2008. Our attorneys have reviewed the NJEA decision, consulted with our actuarial expert and are prepared to proceed with our PFANJ / NJ State FOP pension litigation. Further reports will follow as developments occur in this regard.
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The Boston Globe reports, "Across Massachusetts, cities and towns face the prospect of deep cuts in what appears to be the grimmest fiscal year since 2003. Moreover, " local revenue and state aid can't keep up with such rapidly rising expenses as employee health insurance, heating oil and even street paving. Many " town and city officials face a difficult choice: cut staff and programs..." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes, "The city of Atlanta expects to fall short $120 million when it approves its next budget in June, which likely means 25 percent cuts for most city departments. The decrease comes as the city collects less money from sales tax, property taxes and other fees, while spending more on health insurance and pensions. Mayor Shirley Franklin and her staff are brainstorming ways the city can cut back on spending." In Kansas, CBS affiliate WIBW-TV reports, "The Council adopted the 2008 budget with certain dictates to staff, including cutting overtime by 10 percent, cutting contracts and commodities by 3.2 percent, and cutting capital expenses and upgrades for a total...anticipated savings of $750,000. Some of the cuts include reducing callback overtime in the fire department by idling one or two engine companies when staffing drops below minimum levels." These headlines and many more like them are appearing in local newspapers throughout the country, and yours could be the next to feel the budget squeeze. To help IAFF affiliates prepare for and prevent proposed cuts in staffing, health care benefits, compensation, pension plans and other areas as a result of an economic downturn, the IAFF has revised and published its “Surviving An Economic Crisis” guide. This hands-on guide includes advice and guidance to help affiliates understand how their respective local governments operate in order to evaluate the threat, identify resources and develop a strategy and plan to prevent or minimize adverse actions on fire department budgets and individual benefits. Download “Surviving an Economic Crisis” |
PFANJ Spring 2008 Newsletter Available NOW
Click Here for your copy
-Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to read the On Line Newsletter-
-Download your free copy below-
Click On The Graphic Above For The Latest News Briefs From The I.A.F.F.
July 23, 2008
State Health Benefits Program Changes
Click Here - Active Member Plan Comparison
Click Here - Retired Member Plan Comparison
Click Here - Chapter 330 Rates
Click Here - Important Safety Notice for all users of Scott NFPA 1981, 2002 Edition Self Contained Breathing Apparatus who received their SCBA or replaced the low pressure hose on their
SCBA after June, 2005
Click Here: Announcement of New State Health Benefits Medical Plans
How We Died in the Line of Duty
USFA Releases Provisional 2007 Firefighter Fatality Statistics
NJ.COM - December 4, 2007 - TRENTON - State Sen. Stephen Sweeney introduced legislation Monday to give emergency workers a better chance of receiving workers compensation for chronic illnesses suffered as a result of responding to disasters.
"9/11 is really what brought this to the forefront," said Sweeney, D-3 of West Deptford. "Everyone said it was safe to be there in New York, now you're finding out people are getting very sick from it."
The measure would place the burden on employers to prove that a responder's illness did not stem from a response effort, rather than requiring employees to prove that it did to receive workers compensation.
The bill would also require workers compensation to cover testing and other healthcare costs leading to the diagnosis of an illness, even if it is later discovered that the employee has a clean bill of health.
"The last thing a first responder needs when they're in the initial stages of an emergency (is to think) Is my family going to be taken care of if suddenly I lose my health?'" said Keith B. Kemery, president of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey. "We need this legislation in place so that our protectors are protected."
The measure is called the "Thomas P. Canzanella Twenty First Century First Responders Protection Act," named after a deputy chief in the Hackensack Fire Department who died of a heart attack in June. Prior to his death, Canzanella lobbied for such a measure after witnessing emergency personnel falling ill after Sept. 11.
The bill would cover paid or volunteer emergency, correctional, fire, police and medical personnel responding to fires, chemical explosions, spills or other disasters.
"This happens every single day, whether it's a rail car, whether its just running into a burning building where there's chemicals..." Sweeney said. "But these brave men and women, they don't hesitate, they're there looking out for us, we have to look out for them."
To: All Local Presidents, Delegates and Members of the PFANJ From: Kevin Gallagher, IAFF 1st District Vice President Date: November 28, 2007 Subject: Social Security Benefits I am passing along info that originated with the 4th Marine Div. Assn. This is due to the fact that in many instances, your earnings while in the military were NOT reported to Social Security.
Kevin Gallagher |
DOP Update...
Unlike previous incidents or times, when the DOP would provide us with the promotional lists in advance, they released the lists at the same time with no advance notification. The results can be viewed by clicking onto the link provided. You will need to enter your city's symbol (see below) to view the eligible lists.
Click here: NJ DOP - ELIGIBILITY LIST
For more information go to:
http://www.state.nj.us/personnel/public_safety/ffighters_titles.htm
The IAFF has established the IAFF CHARLESTON FIRE FIGHTERS JUNE 18 FUND to provide financial assistance to the families of the nine fire fighters who lost their lives in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2007. Contributions to this fund, which are not tax deductible as charitable contributions, may be mailed to the following address: THE IAFF CHARLESTON FIRE FIGHTERS JUNE 18 FUND |
Setting the Record Straight...
By Thomas P. Canzanella
NJFMBA Wages Shameful Misdirection Campaign to
Secure Yes Vote on Affiliation.
For details and an explanation click here.
PFANJ - NJFOP Provide Testimony Before Senate
&
Assembly Budget Committees
Click Here for details
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS
Recently enacted New York State Worker's Compensation law provides a legal avenue of protection for New Jersey firefighters and related emergency services and Support Specialty Personnel (construction trades workers) who operated at NYC Ground Zero and or at Fresh Kills Landfill during the hours, days and weeks following 9/11. We urge anyone who operated to file for protections under this law in advance of injury or illness that may develop as a result of those occupational exposures to airborne or skin contact contaminants. In many cases it may be years before such injury might develop.
Click below for the download that provides an explanation on how to file. Make sure you retain a copy of all related paperwork for your own file.
Should you have any questions whatsoever, or require legal representation in this or any regard for occupationally related injury or illness, or even suspect such, the union recommends you contact our Preferred Provider for Worker's Compensation and product liability Stark & Stark's Arthur Kravitz at 609/896-9060, or Bob Capuano at 856/874-4443 immediately.
BE sure you advise them of your PFANJ membership.
Click here: http://www.wcb.state.ny.us/content/main/forms/WTC-12.pdf
STATE PENSION THREAT LEVELS
LAST UPDATED: February 13, 2007
This report is produced by the AFL-CIO Office of Investment
THREE ALARMS
New Jersey - Fresh from a scuffle with the New Jersey Legislature over who should take on the task of re-examining pensions and health care benefits for state employees, Gov. Jon S. Corzine he was prepared to embark on “serious restructuring” efforts because soaring costs would make it impossible for the state to keep pace over the next decade. Echoing the sentiment of a number of financial experts, Mr. Corzine warned that the process used by the state to estimate its pension shortfalls at about $18 billion were way off, and that the number was “much larger.”“It’s impossible for us to stay on the course that we are on today, and deliver what people are asking for,” he said.
On November 30th thousands of unionized state workers took to the streets at locations around the state to protest plans to trim their retirement and health benefits. They were protesting 41 recommendations from the Legislature's Joint Committee on Public Employee Benefits Reform, one of four special committees that studied ways to trim government spending and property taxes. The proposals include raising the retirement age from 60 to 62, adding co-payments for health coverage and rolling back pension benefits by about 9% for new employees.
The panel's recommendations come as the payments state and local governments make into the public retirement system are soaring, and the funds have a deficit conservatively estimated at $18 billion. Committee members also said the cost of insurance premiums for hundreds of thousands of retired teachers and public employees are likely to double within three years, and that a 9 percent retirement benefit hike approved in 2001 is proving unaffordable. On July 28th, Governor Corzine called for a two-tiered system of benefits, in which new employees would have a higher retirement age and a 401(k)-like retirement system.
After strong lobbying by state public employee unions, the FY 2007 budget included a $1.1 billion pension contribution, more than the last 10 years combined. In 1994 Republican Gov. Christie Whitman raided pensions to pay for a $1.2 billion tax cut for the wealthy. Whitman increased employees' contribution to the plan to 5 percent, and through a series of legal maneuvers, she and subsequent governors allowed the state to ride the stock market to cover its pension obligations, deferring payments into the plan. The state pension’s director testified last fall that they had shortchanged the pension funds by $5.5 billion.
PFANJ - NJFOP Join Forces Opposing Pension and Collective Bargaining Changes
Click here
CARRYING THE LOAD
Star Ledger - Letters to the Editor
Posted - August 16, 2006
After reading your Aug. 6 article "Huge pension payments testing towns," I think New Jersey's police and fire fighters deserve not to be signaled out as villains when, in fact police and fire fighters have carried the Police and Fireman's Retirement System (PFRS) on their backs since 1997, paying 8.5% of their salaries while employers saved millions. By the way, just how much did cities and towns save over the past 9 years while police and fire fighters carried the load?
You omit the fact that most police and fire fighters in New Jersey are not eligible for Social Security. Police and fire fighters and the cities and towns in which they work don't pay into the system, another enormous savings to cities and towns. Are their issues regarding New Jersey's pension funds? You bet. But leave the police and fire fighters out of it.
John B. Sandella
Verona.
The writer is president of Newark Fire Officers Union Local 1860
NEWS BRIEFS....
Professional Firefighter's - Loud and Clear on our Pensions...
"There is a notion out there being perpetrated by some that current discussions in Trenton and in the media about pension reforms and changes do not include professional firefighters and police officers... Our employers have withheld over $4 billion in pension contributions, and reduced our funding from near 100% to just 80% as of the most recent pension actuarial report. They don't want to pay back what they owe the system and they are so used to not paying, they begrudge the substandard contributions they make now, while you literally carry the system on your back. Worse yet they are in the papers every chance they get trying to convince taxpayers that our pensions are the root cause of high property taxes versus the folly of their underfunding scheme... Kind makes ya' wonder why you weren't there doesn't it?
Click here for photos from this event.
Attention Potential IAFF EMS Members!
Click here for a downloadable and printable IAFF document
"Showing and Demonstration of Interest"
for those individuals wishing to learn more about
and affiliate with the International Association of Fire Fighters...
Kindly fill out the form and then mail it the
State Association Office ASAP!
TOWNS TARGET COP, FIREFIGHTER PENSIONS COSTS
TRENTON TIMES - February 21, 2006 - Deeming it the most costly benefits plan confronting local governments, a group representing New Jersey's municipalities wants publicly funded pensions for police and firefighters reformed, and soon.
That politically risky advice from the New Jersey State League of Municipalities quickly generated opposition yesterday.
"Without being disrespectful to the League, it's almost laughable," said Thomas P. Canzanella, president of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey.
The league -- a state authorized organization that represents all 566 municipalities -- said the state's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) needs to be changed to help municipalities control costs.
Its report comes as state and local governments face pension and health insurance costs that threaten to consume 20 percent of the state budget by 2010, possibly boosting state and local taxes and restricting spending on other needs. The state owes about $1.5 billion in pension payments next fiscal year.
But the league's report, which responds to public employee pension reform recommendations suggested last year by a special state task force, focuses much concern on pensions given specifically to retired police and firefighters.
William Dressel, the league's executive director, said the system is often a "poster-child example of the Legislature running amok and giving away benefits way beyond what is considered normal compensation."
The state task force, appointed by then Gov. Richard J. Codey, didn't recommend major changes to police and firefighter benefits, with its chairman noting police and firefighters have different and more dangerous jobs than most public workers.
The task force, for instance, excluded police and firefighters from a proposal to increase the public employee retirement age from 55 to 60.
"We take a strong exception to the whole notion of not dealing with all the state-administered pension systems equally," Dressel said.
The state also manages pension systems for civilian government workers, judges and teachers. PFRS funds pensions for state, county and municipal law enforcement and firefighters.
"We should be treated differently, Canzanella said, "not only because of the jobs we do and the inherent dangers of the jobs, but we have the highest contribution rates among the public employees in New Jersey and one of the highest contribution rates in the nation."
PFRS is funded by contributions from governments and individual officers and firefighters, though the state and county and local governments made only limited contributions from 1997 to 2003, adding to the public employee pension woes.
Police and firefighters continued to make contributions and recently filed suit against the state for failing to meet its obligations. That suit is pending.
"I don't know how you make the determination that our pension system is too unwieldy after (they) carved so much out of it with underfunding," Canzanella said. "We didn't underfund it. They did."
Edward R. Brannigan, president of the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police, said he also had concerns.
"The League of Municipalities has got some nerve," he said. "They haven't paid into our pension fund for so long, and now it's time to pay the piper and they say it's our fault.
"These are not entitlements," he added. "These are negotiated benefits."
The league stated benefits for a PFRS member cost three times that of a local government worker. The PFRS has about 45,000 members and $16.35 billion in assets while the system for government workers has about 315,000 members and $23 billion in assets.
The overall state pension system faces a $12.1 billion deficit, with local governments responsible for $3.5 billion. Of that $3.5 billion, the league said 60 percent is for PFRS.
The league blamed much of the problem on state mandates approved by the Legislature for police and firefighters despite league opposition.
For instance, the league cited bills passed during the recent lame-duck legislative session that, among other measures, required full-time county fire marshals and assistant fire marshals to enroll in PFRS.
The league cited what it declared a "significant" pension ratio for PFRS members, under which police and firefighters who retire after 20 years receive 50 percent of their pay, after 25 years get 65 percent pay and after 30 years get 70 percent pay, regardless of age.
"It just doesn't seem fair and equitable to look at all the other systems and not police and fire," Dressel said.
He acknowledged the danger involved in police and firefighting work but said public works employees, social workers, road crews and trash collectors also face dangers.
"We could look at it that way, too," Dressel said.
While the league called for "corrective action," it didn't specify proposed police and firefighter pension reforms beyond ending legislative mandates and eliminating a special mortgage program for PFRS members.
Dressel said the group gave its report to Gov. Jon Corzine's senior staff and to legislative leaders.
"We sincerely hope that state-level policymakers will carefully consider our recommendations," Dressel said. "We have looked at New Jersey's long- and short-term pension and benefit problems, and our recommendations build on what has worked in the private sector and in other states."
Canzanella said no immediate action is needed beyond state and local governments meeting their contribution obligations.
"How about everyone pay into the system like they're supposed to, and then we'll come back in a couple of years and see what type of shape it's in?" he said.
The Group "Firefighters Charitable Foundation" Appearing to be
Based out of Rhode Island, while it may be a Legitimate Organization in Nature-has Absolutely NO Connection whatsoever with the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey or the IAFF.
They are Apparently Soliciting in this Area.
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IAFF SCAM WARNING The IAFF has been made aware that individuals claiming to represent the IAFF have contacted IAFF members regarding IAFF Financial Corporation (IAFF-FC) programs and services. These individuals are requesting personal information that nationally recognized and respected authorized IAFF-FC service providers will never ask over the phone. The IAFF-FC offers competitively priced investment options, top-notch education financing programs, home mortgage programs and insurance protection for IAFF affiliates and members. IAFF-FC service providers are not allowed to call individual IAFF members unless the member expresses a direct interest in those programs or services.
Please report any unsolicited contact from individuals claiming to represent the IAFF or
For more information regarding the IAFF-FC, click here. |
Background and Summary of Complaint
Pension Protection Action
Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, IAFF, AFL-CIO
New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police
Tuesday, October 4, 2005
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| President Canzanella with NJ Fraternal Order |
The Police and Firemen’s Retirement System of New Jersey (PFRS) held a surplus of approximately $938,000,000 in FY2000 drawing down to a deficit of approximately $3,574,000,000 for FY2004. This $4.5 billion dollar deterioration is largely the result of legislation (S-2586 of 2003) that permitted municipal employers of law enforcement officers and firefighters to defer and discount employer required contributions to the PFRS, in association with the State of New Jersey’s own failure to make required contributions. During this same time frame, police officers and firefighters continued to make their own statutorily required contributions totaling 8.5% of their base annual salaries, one, if not the highest public safety employee pension contribution rate in the Nation.
The State of New Jersey and its municipalities were first relieved of their obligations make employer required contributions in 1997, when legislation was enacted that revised the method of accounting and valuing plan assets. Under this new and more creative method of accounting, the value of PFRS assets was purposely and substantially increased, resulting in intended excess or more accurately, inflated assets. Accordingly, the State and its municipalities used those enhanced assets as a manner in which to relieve themselves of their obligation to match employee contributions for the purpose of tax relief. Despite the “free ride” afforded to both the State and municipalities, police officers and firefighters remained obligated, and so did they continue, to contribute 8.5% of their base annual salaries for which they have neither sought nor been granted any similar relief.
In 2003, with those self-created inflated assets running dry, despite facing a growing PFRS deficit, and in order to provide continued budgetary relief to municipalities who had by their own admission made no provisions whatsoever to resume employer contributions, the State Treasurer proposed, and the Legislature adopted, an initiative (S-2586) permitting municipalities to pay only a discounted fraction of their required pension contributions. Adding insult to injury, despite the fact that the foregoing legislation in no way extended the State a like ability to skip or discount badly needed pension contributions, they did so nonetheless, paying only a fraction of their required obligation. Again, and to this day as we go forward, police officers and their firefighter counterparts remain obligated to contribute 8.5% of their base annual salaries serving as the sole and sustaining guaranteed plan income.
As a result of the aforementioned legislation, and in association with the States non-legislated failure to required contributions, the PFRS funding ratio, which indicates the financial soundness of the plan, has fallen from 105.65 % for FY2000, to 100.85% for FY2001, to 95.82% for FY2002, to 88.45% for FY2003 and to 83.95% for FY2004.
Enactment of the 2003 legislation, in association with the State’s failure to make their own proper contributions absent legal legislative authority, deprives the PFRS of the funds necessary to maintain it on a sound actuarial reserve basis. An undeniable consequence of this failed scheme is the alarmingly significant reduction in plan earnings from investments and interest that would have been derived from skipped and substandard contributions. The foregoing serving to jeopardize the financial soundness of the plan and its ability to make good on earned benefits as they come due in the future. In that regard, the complete and total lack of prudent fiscal judgment demonstrated by the strategy articulated in S-2586, relying upon the exclusive use of employee contributions to either sustain or accordingly grow the plan, that resulted in the type of significant funding losses sustained over the last several years represents an abdication of fiduciary responsibilities in its purest form.
The complaint seeks to declare the 2003 legislation (S-2586) unconstitutional, to end any conflict of interest that would allow the State Treasurer to determine type and variety of contributions aside from statutory law, and to direct defendants to make regular full payments to the PFRS for FY2004, FY2005, and beyond, in accordance with fiscally responsible actuarial calculations.
The plaintiffs, Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, I.A.F.F.-AFL-CIO, and the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police, along with representative active and retired members and widows of members of these two unions who have been affected by this failure to adequately fund the plan, are represented by the law firm of Greenberg, Dauber, Epstein & Tucker of Newark. The PFANJ/IAFF and NJFOP represent the majority of career professional firefighters and law enforcement officers throughout the State of New Jersey and this Nation.
Named as defendants in this action are the State of New Jersey,
John McCormac- Treasurer, the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly.
The aforementioned action was filed this day in State Superior Court.
For additional information and commentary please contact:
Thomas P. Canzanella, President PFANJ 609/396-9766 or 201/310-2051
Edward R. Brannigan, President NJFOP 609/599-1222
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