PREAMBLE

PURPOSE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
XIII
XIV
XV
XVI
XVII
XVIII
XIV
XX
XXI
XXII
XXIII
XXIV
XXV
XXVI
XXVII
XVIII
XXIV
XXX
XXXI
XXXIV
XXXIII
XXXIV
XXXV
XXXVI
XXXVII
DESCRIPTION PAGE

Preamble
Recognition 1
Non-Discrimination 2
Associations Rights and Responsibilities 3
Management Rights and Responsibilities 6
Grievance 8
Maintenance Of Operation 12
Dues, Deductions, and Agency Shop 13
Employee Rights and Privileges 16
Hours and Overtime 17
Exchange of Hours of Duty 20
Salaries 21
Longevity 26
Holidays 27
Vacations 29
Separation, Death, Retirement 31
Sick Leave 32
Injury Leave 34
Bereavement Leave 36
Military Leave 37
Leave of Absence 38
Pensions 39
Job Descriptions and Duties 40
Clothing Allowance 41
Travel Expenses 42
Hospitalization and Medical Benefits 43
Communicable Diseases 44
Safety Clause 45
Promotions 46
Bulletin Board 47
Service Records 48
Printing and Supplying Agreement 49
Statutory and Legal Rights 50
Separability and Savings 51
Maintenance of Benefits 52
Emergency Medical Services 53
Fire Inspections 54
Jury Duty 55

ARTICLE

XXXVIII
XXXIV
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XXXXI
XXXXII
XXXXIII
XXXXI V
XXXXV
Appendix A
Appendix B

Appendix C

Table Of Contents
CONTINUED

Acting Out of Title 56
Emergency Leave 57
Fully Bargained Agreement 58
Superseding Clause 59
New Jersey State Disability Benefits 60
Maternity Leave 61
Labor Management Committee 62
Duration, Term, Renewal 63
Clothing Allowance 64
Memorandum of Agreement regarding Fire
Inspector Certifications 65
Memorandum of Agreement regarding
Temporary Light Duty 67

ARTICLE I RECOGNITION

a "card check", the Board recognizes the Association as the

exclusive collective negotiations agent for all paid full time

employees engaged in fire suppression duties, .including Fire

Fighters, Fire Captains and Battalion Chiefs. Also included within

the above defined negotiating unit are those employees of the

Board whose job titles currently are or may be clerical,

maintenance, security or other co-designated classifications

provided their job duties include fire suppression and/or fire

prevention activities.

B. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "firefighter",

"firefighters", "Fire Inspector" and "employee" or "employees",

when used in this Agreement, refer to persons, male or female,

represented by the Association in the above defined negotiating

unit.

C. This Agreement excludes the Fire Chief, managerial

executives within the meaning of the New Jersey Public Employer-

Employee Relations Act, N.J.S.A, 34:13A-1 et. Seq. (hereinafter

"the Act"), and employees not engaged in fire fighting duties.

ARTICLE II NON-DISCRIMINATION

no discrimination against any employee because of race, creed,

color, religion, sex, national origin or political affiliation.

B. The Board and the Association agree that all employees

covered under this Agreement have the right without fear of

penalty or reprisal to form, join, and assist any employee

organization or to refrain from any such activity. There shall be

no discrimination by the Board or the Association against any

employee because of the employees' membership or non-membership or

activity or non-activity in the Association.

ARTICLE III ASSOCIATION RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

State Law, will be granted administrative leave with pay in

accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A: 14 177.

B. Three (3) authorized Association Representatives shall be

excused without loss of pay from their normal duties to

participate in negotiations for the renewal of this Agreement or

the executive of a new agreement for this District. Upon the

request of the Association President, such representatives will

also be reasonably excused without loss of pay to participate in

other meetings related to collective bargaining. Such

representatives shall attend negotiations, and other meeting

sessions, if on duty, in the appropriate uniform and be available

for duty in the event the need arises.

C. Copies of disciplinary charges, or other notices relating

to disciplinary action, shall be furnished to the Association upon

written authorization to the Board by the employee within a

reasonable period of time thereafter. The Board shall maintain a

file of written refusals by the employees to authorize the Board

to forward such documents to the Association. Copies of all

disciplinary charges or notices relating to disciplinary action

against any member or non-member shall be furnished to the

President or Shop Steward of the Association within seventy-two

(72) hours of the presentation of charges.

D. The Association will be responsible for acquainting its

members with the provisions of this Agreement, and shall be

responsible insofar as possible for the adherence to the terms of

this Agreement by such members, and the Association recognizes

that the conditions set forth in this article shall be subject to

the mission of the Board.


E. Whenever an employee is to be questioned and (he) is being
considered a "target" for possible disciplinary action, (^ shall
have the right to request a representative of the Association be
present at all stages of questioning. If an employee requests and
is denied representation at any stage of the questioning, any
statements made by the employee or "fruits" derived there from
cannot be used against said employee to support disciplinary
action.

F. Authorized representatives of the Association, whose

names shall be filed in writing with the Board, or their designee,

shall be permitted to visit any fire facility within Voorhees

Township for the purpose of processing or investigating

grievances, provided that prior approval has been secured from the

Fire Chief, or such other individuals designated by the Board in

writing to perform such task, on condition that such prior

approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Only one (1)

authorized Association representative shall be granted such

permission. The Association representative shall not interfere

with the normal conduct of work within the fire facility.

G. In addition to the foregoing, one (1) representative

delegate of the Association shall be granted administrative leave,

once per annum, to attend a labor convention (State or

International) for a period inclusive of the duration of the

convention with a reasonable time allowed for travel. Request for

administrative leave shall be given to the Fire Chief within

thirty (30) calendar days prior to the effective date of such

leave.

H. In addition to the foregoing, if the State Delegate is elected from this bargaining unit, the Delegate will receive a maximum of nine (9) days annually without loss of pay to attend the monthly State meeting. In order to receive said leave, the Delegate must give the Fire Chief a minimum of two (2) weeks prior written notice and must be scheduled to work on the day and time of the State monthly meeting.


I. Upon the request of the Association President, on duty employees shall be reasonably permitted to attend and participate in bargaining unit meetings without loss of pay when such bargaining unit meetings"are held at a location mutually agreed upon by the Association and the Board. All on duty employees shall attend and participate in the appropriate uniform and be available for duty in the event the need arises.

J. In addition to the foregoing, union representatives will receive relief from duty with full pay for the purpose of attending to contract administration, grievance processing or other union business relating to the Voorhees Township Bargaining units on an as needed basis. The member requesting relief must make application to the Fire Chief or his designee as soon as reasonably possible. Such request will not be unreasonably denied.

MANAGEMENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

the District and its properties and facilities and the activities

of its employees by utilizing personnel, methods and means of the

most appropriate and efficient manner possible as may from time to

time be determined by the Board.
2. To make rules and procedure and conduct, to use improved

methods and equipment, to determine work schedules and shifts, to

decide the number of the employees needed for any particular time •

and to be in sole charge of the quality and quantity of work

required.

3 . The right of management to make such reasonable rules and regulations as it may from time to time deem best for the purposes of maintaining order, safety and/or the effective operation of the Department after advance notice thereof to the employees is recognized.

4. To hire all employees, to promote, transfer, assign or

retain employees in positions with the District.

5. To suspend, demote, discharge, or take any other

appropriate disciplinary action against any employee for good, and

just cause according to the law, and subject to the grievance

procedure .
6. To lay off employees in the event of lack of work or

funds or other conditions where continuation of such work would be

inefficient and non-productive, so long as such lack of work or

funds is bona fide.

B. Pursuant to the laws of the State of New Jersey and of the United States, the exercise of the foregoing powers, rights, authority, duties or responsibilities of the Board, the adoption of policies, rules, regulations and practices in the furtherance thereof, and the use of judgment and discretion in connection therewith, shall be limited only by the terms of this Agreement, and then only to the extent such terms hereof are in conformance with the Constitution and laws of New Jersey and of the United States.

lowest possible level, an equitable solution to the problems which

may arise affecting the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
2. Nothing herein shall be construed as limiting the
right of any employee having a grievance to discuss the matter
informally with any appropriate member of the District staff.
3. Nothing herein shall be deemed to deny the employees
of their statutory or other legal rights concerning discipline.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to deny employees their rights to
pursue any other statutory or legal remedies in lieu of resorting
to the grievance procedure.

B. Definition

The term "grievance" as used herein means any controversy arising over the interpretation, application or alleged violation-of policies, procedures, contractual agreements, and administrative decisions affecting the terms and conditions of employment, and shall be raised by the Association on behalf of an individual or group of individuals.

C. Steps of the Grievance Procedure

In order to resolve grievances covered by this Agreement between the parties, this procedure shall be followed unless any step is waived by mutual consent:

An aggrieved employee or employees shall institute action under the provision hereof within fifteen (15) calendar days of the occurrence of the event-giving rise to the grievance. Action is instituted by filing a grievance with the Association Grievance Committee. Failure to act within said fifteen (15) calendar days shall be deemed to constitute an abandonment of the grievance. Within fifteen (15) calendar days after the grievance has been filed and before an effort is made to settle the matter, the Association Grievance Committee shall screen and study the grievance to determine whether it has or lacks merit. Such processing of grievances shall take place without discrimination and irrespective of membership or affiliation with the Association. Upon finding of merit or non-merit, the Association Grievance Committee shall present written confirmation of such determination to the Fire Chief with request that the Fire Chief investigate and resolve same, if required. If the resolution of the grievance has not been reached within five (5) working days of the submission to the Fire Chief, the grievance may proceed to Step Two.

Step Two;
1. In the event a satisfactory settlement has not been

reached at Step One, the Association may, within ten (10) calendar

days of the Fire Chiefs' or a designees1 decision, file his

written grievance with the Board. This presentation shall include

copies of all previous correspondence relating to the matter in

dispute.
2. The Board or its designee shall review the decision of the
Fire Chief, and, within ten (10) calendar days from receipt of the
grievance, make a written determination.

Step Three;

1. In the event the grievance has not been resolved in Step Two the Association may, within thirty (30) calendar days of the Boards' decision, request arbitration. The arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with the rules of Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC).

2. However no arbitration hearing shall be scheduled sooner than thirty (30) calendar days after the final decision by the Board. In the event that the aggrieved elects to pursue other remedies, the arbitration hearing shall be cancelled and the matter withdrawn from arbitration. The Association shall pay whatever costs it may incurred in processing the case to arbitration.

D. Arbitration

be borne equally by the Board and the Association. Any other

expenses incurred, including but not limited to the presentation

of witnesses, shall be paid by the party incurring the same.
3. The arbitrator shall set forth his findings of

fact and reasons for making the award within thirty (30) days

after the conclusion of the arbitrator hearing unless agreed to

otherwise by the parties.

E. Group Grievances
1. Which shall be defined as those affecting

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11

uninterrupted operation of the Board of Fire Commissioner's

Departments and Agencies is of paramount importance to the

citizens of the community, and that there should be no

interference with such operations.

B. Neither the Association nor any person acting on its

behalf will cause, authorize, engage in, sanction, assist or

support, nor will any of its members take part in, any strike

(i.e., the concerted failure to report for duty, or stoppage of
work, in whole or in part, from the full, faithful and proper performance of the employees' duties of employment), work stoppage, slowdown, sick out, walk out or other illegal job action against the Board.

C. The Association agrees that it will do everything in its

power to prevent its members from participating in any strike,

work stoppage, slowdown or other activities aforementioned, or

support any action by any other employee or group of employees of

the Board.

D. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to

limit or restrict the Board in its right to seek and obtain such

judicial relief as it may be entitled to have in law or equity for

injunction or damages, or both, in the event of such breach by the

Association or its members.

E. The Fire Chief and all officers shall exercise their

supervisory duties faithfully, irrespective of the fact that the

employees are covered by this Agreement, and they shall be

objective in their dealings with all personnel subordinate to

them, irrespective of their affiliation with the Association.

employees, subject to this Agreement, dues for the Association.

Such deduction shall be made in compliance with Chapter 123,

Public Laws of 1974, N.J.S.A. (R.S.) 52:14-15.9e, as amended.

B. A check-off shall commence for each employee that signs a

properly dated authorization card, supplied by the Association and

verified by the Board Administrator during the month following the

filing of such card with the Board.

C. If during the life of this Agreement there shall be any

change in the rate of membership dues, the Association shall

furnish the Board written notice thirty (30) days prior to the

effective date of such change and shall furnish the Board either

new authorizations from its members showing the authorized

deductions of each employee, or an official notification on the

letterhead of the Association and signed by the President of the

Association advising of such changed deduction.

D. The Association will provide the necessary "check-off

authorization" form and the Association will secure the signatures

of its members on the forms and deliver the signed forms to the

Board Administrator.

E. Any such written authorization may only be withdrawn

between the period of the 1st of April and the 30th of June by

filing a withdrawal notice with the Board Administrator. The

filing of notice of withdrawal shall be effective to halt

deductions in accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:14-15.9e, as amended.

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F. The Board agrees to deduct the fair share fee from the earnings of those employees who elect not to become a member of the Association and transmit the fee to the majority representative.
1. The deduction shall commence for each employee who

elects not to become a member of the Association during the month

following written notice from the Association of the amount of the

fair share assessment. A copy of the written notice of the amount

of the fair share assessment must also be furnished to the New

Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission.
2. The fair share fee for services rendered by the

Association shall be in the amount equal to the regular membership

dues, initiation fees and assessments of the Association, less the

costs of benefits financed through the dues and available only to

the members of the Association, but in no event shall the fee

exceed eighty-five (85%) percent of the regular membership dues,

fees and assessments.
3. The sum representing the fair share fee shall not

reflect the costs of financial support of political causes or

candidates, except to the extent that is necessary for the

Association to engage in lobbying activity designed to foster its

policy goals in collective negotiations and contract

administration, and to secure for the employees it represents

advances and wages, hours and other conditions of employment which

ordinarily cannot be secured through collective negotiations with

the Board.
4. Prior to January 1st and July 31st of each year, the

Association, if there is a change in the cost of membership, shall

provide advance written notice to the Board and any non-member of

such increase. Upon written request, any information necessary to

compute or validate the fair share fee for services enumerated

above will be forwarded to the Board or employee requesting same.
5. The Association shall establish and maintain a procedure

whereby any employee can challenge the assessment as computed by

the Association, This appeal procedure shall in no way involve the

Board or require the Board to take any action other than to hold

the fee in escrow pending resolution of the appeal.

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ARTICLE VIII
EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

A. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to deny or

restrict any employee such rights as they may have under New

Jersey laws or other applicable laws and regulations, The rights

granted to employees hereunder shall be deemed to be in addition

to those provided elsewhere.

B. No employee shall be disciplined, reduced in rank or

compensation without just cause. Any such action asserted by the

Board or any agent or representative thereof shall not be made

public and shall be subject to the grievance procedure herein set

forth.

C. Whenever an employee is required to appear before any

Supervisor, Fire Chief, Board of Fire Commissioners or Board

Representative concerning any matter which could adversely affect

the continuation of that employee in their position, employment,

or the salary or any increments pertaining thereto, then they

shall be given prior written notice of the reasons of such meeting

or interview and shall be entitled to have a representative of the

Local present to advise them and represent them during such

meeting or interview.

D. Any employee whose action may give rise to charges by

the Board or any agent or representative thereof, either

discipline or criminal, shall be advised prior to any hearing or

meeting with any agent or agents of the Board or Department. The

affected employee shall be afforded all rights pursuant to

U.S.S.C. decisions under Weingarten. No statement shall be given

without first advising the affected employee of the matter or

matters for which they are under investigation. The employee shall

have full access to counsel in any hearing or internal

investigation scheduled by the Board.

E. 1. Proposed new rules or modifications of existing rules

covering negotiable working conditions shall be negotiated with

the Association before they are established.

2. All written rules and regulations shall be provided to the employees immediately upon promulgation.

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ARTICLE IX HOURS, OVERTIME and COMPENSATORY TIME

G. Overtime will be distributed as equitably as possible in

accordance with the above procedure.

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I. Firefighters and Fire Officers working mandatory overtime will be compensated at one and one half times their normal salary rate regardless of their assignment.

J. Firefighters and Fire Officers will have first option to work overtime when the District determines coverage to be necessary during work periods that occur on the holidays listed in Article XIII, Paragraph A and bargaining unit employees would otherwise be scheduled to work.

K. Employees working voluntary overtime as outlined in Paragraph J, and assigned BLS unit duty will be compensated at a rate of one and one half times their regular hourly rate. Employees working shall be subject to all regular duty assignments.

L. Employees working mandatory overtime on a holiday outlined in Article XIII, Paragraph A will be compensated at a rate of one and one half times their normal salary rate plus compensatory time equal to that time worked, regardless of their duty assignment.

M. 1. Except as provided for in paragraph M-5 of this article, a maximum of two (2) firefighters shall be permitted to be off on vacation, personal, holiday, compensatory or other scheduled leave at one time.

2. Except as provided for in paragraph M-5 of this

article, a maximum of one (1) fire officer shall be permitted to

be off on vacation, personal, holiday, compensatory or other

scheduled leave at one time.
3. Except as provided for in paragraph M-5 of this

article, a maximum of three (3) firefighters shall be permitted

off on vacation, personal, holiday, compensatory or other

scheduled leave at one time if no fire officer is scheduled to be

on leave.

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vacation, personal, holiday, compensatory or other scheduled

leave, over and above that in Paragraphs M-l through M-3, shall be

conditionally approved, subject to roll call and the manpower

needs of the fire district. Any bargaining unit member

conditionally approved for leave must contact the on duty officer

in charge at his/her work station between 0600 and 0615 hours on

the conditionally approved day off in order to confirm approval of

his/her leave.
6. If roll call and manpower falls below that
determined to be necessary by the fire district, any conditional approval of leave may be rescinded. Any bargaining unit member ordered to work as result of conditional leave being rescinded shall report to his/her duty station no later than 0700 hours. Leave time to cover the period of absence shall be charged to the members leave balance as appropriate.

ARTICLE X
EXCHANGE OF HOURS OF DUTY

may be granted by the Fire Chief or his designee, at his

discretion, provided such request has been made through channels

and in conformance with the needs of the District. Such discretion

shall not be unreasonably denied.

B. In exercising the provisions of this Article, no fire

fighter shall work more than two (2) shifts, and the provisions of

Article IX shall not apply to the second shift unless the employee

is ordered to work hours in excess of the first shift, in which

case Article IX shall be applicable to those excess hours.

C. Exchanges can be performed by any bargaining unit member

employed by the Fire District holding the same certification(s).

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2. Effective January 1, 2002, the salary for all

firefighters hired prior to January 1, 1998 and holding both ah

EMT and Fire Inspector certification shall be $63,437.

3. Effective November 1, 2002, the salaries for all

firefighters hired after January 1, 1998 and holding both an EMT

and Fire Inspector certification will be as follows:

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B. 1. Effective January 1, 2003, the salary for all firefighters, hired prior to January 1, 1998 and not EMT certified will be $62,796.

2. Effective January 1, 2003 the salary for all firefighters, hired prior to January 1, 1998, holding both an EMT and Fire Inspector certification shall be $65,974

3. Effective January 1, 2003, the salaries for all firefighters hired after January 1, 1998 and holding both an EMT and Inspector certification will be as follows:

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C. 1. Effective January 1, 2004 the salary for all firefighters, hired prior to January 1, 1998 and not EMT certified shall be $65,308.
2. Effective January 1, 2004 the salary for all firefighters,

hired prior to January 1, 1998, and holding an EMT and Fire

Inspector certification shall be $68,613.
3. Effective January 1, 2004, the salaries for all

firefighters hired after January 1, 1998 and holding both an EMT

and Fire Inspector certification will be as follows:

New Hire Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7	$35,585 $37,748 $43,532 $49,319
	$55,100 $61,001 $64,808 $68,613

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D. 1. Effective January 1, 2005, the salary for all firefighters hired prior to January 1, 1998 and not EMT certified will be $67,920.
2. Effective January 1, 2005, the salary for all firefighters

hired prior to January 1, 1998 and holding both an EMT and Fire

Inspector certification shall be $71,358.
3. Effective January 1, 2005 the salary for all firefighters

hired after to January 1, 1998 and holding both an EMT and Fire

Inspector certification will be as follows;

New Hire Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7	$37,008 $39,258 $45,273 $51,292
	$57,304 $63,441 $67,400 $71,358

Classification Salary
Captain $79,983
Battalion Chief $91,397

E. 1. Newly hired employees will begin at the New Hire step on their first day of work regardless of any EMT and/or Fire Inspector certifications maintained. Effective the date that this agreement is signed by the parties, newly hired employees will serve a ninety (90)calendar day EMT and Fire Inspector-training period at the New Hire step of the salary step guide. Upon completion of their ninety (90) calendar day training period, newly hired employees will move to their appropriate step on the salary step guide. Employees will then advance one step per year along the above salary step guide until reaching^the top step.

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F. Employees hired after the signing of this agreement and

not maintaining EMT or Fire Inspector certifications will be

placed at the New Hire Step of the salary scale and remain at that

step until obtaining the required EMT and Fire Inspector

certifications and completing the negotiated training period. Upon

attaining EMT and Fire Inspector certifications and upon

completion of the designated training period, these employees will

move to their appropriate step on the salary step guide. Employees

will then advance one step per employment year along the salary

step guide until reaching the top step.

G. Step increases shall take effect on the employee's

anniversary date of hire.

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payments as follows:

Years of Service Longevity (%)

Of Base Salary

B. Said longevity payments shall be added to the employees'

annual base salary payable in bi-weekly increments together with

said salary or, at the employee's option, payable in a lump sum on

the first pay period in December of the year in which the same is.

approved. Such decision shall be communicated to the Fire Chief

for the next calendar year on or before the first pay period in

December and shall be irrevocable for same calendar year.

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holidays as follows: New Years Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day,

Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, the

day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas.

B. In addition to the designated holidays, all bargaining unit

employees shall be entitled to four (4) floating holidays

designated as personal days.

C. 1. Except as provided for within Paragraph C-5 of this

article, a maximum of two (2) firefighters shall be permitted to

be off on vacation, personal, holiday, compensatory or other

scheduled leave at one time.
2. Except as provided for within Paragraph C-5 of this

article, a maximum of one (1) fire officer shall be permitted to

be off on vacation, personal, holiday, compensatory or other

scheduled leave at one time.
3. Except as provided for within Paragraph C-5 of this

article, a maximum of three (3) firefighters shall be permitted

off on vacation, personal, holiday, compensatory or other

scheduled leave at one time if no fire officer is scheduled to be

on vacation leave.
4. The above shall not be impacted in any way by other

bargaining unit members temporarily assigned to training, union

and/or other administrative leave or other temporary assignments

so long as roll call established pursuant to the public employer's

managerial prerogative is met.
5. Any bargaining unit member making application for

vacation, personal, holiday, compensatory or other scheduled

leave, over and above that in Paragraphs C-l through C-3, shall be

conditionally approved, subject to roll call and the manpower

needs of the fire district. Any bargaining unit member

conditionally approved for leave must contact the on duty officer

in charge at his/her work station between 0600 and 0615 hours on

the conditionally approved day off in order to confirm approval of

his/her leave.
2.

6. If roll call and manpower falls below that determined to be necessary by the fire district, any conditional approval of leave may be rescinded. Any bargaining unit member ordered to work as a result of conditional leave being rescinded shall report to his/her duty station no later than 0700 hours. Leave time to cover the period of absence shall be charged to the members leave balance as appropriate.

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ARTICLE XIV VACATIONS

vacation leave with pay in accordance with the following schedule:
1. During the first calendar year of employment, employees
shall be entitled to one (1) vacation day per month of employment.
2. From the beginning of the 2nd year of employment through
the 4th calendar year of employment, employees shall be entitled
to twelve (12) vacation days per year.
3. From the beginning of the 5th year of employment through
the 9th calendar year of employment, employees shall be entitled
to fifteen (15) vacation days per year.
4. From the beginning of the 10th year of employment
through the 20th year of employment, employees shall be entitled
to twenty (20) vacation days per year.
5. During the 21st year of employment, employees shall be
entitled to twenty-one (21) vacation days per year.
6. During the 22nd year of employment, employees shall be
entitled to twenty-two (22) vacation days per year.
7. During the 23rd year of employment, employees shall be
entitled to twenty-three (23) vacation days per year.
8. From the 24th year until the end of employment, -
employees shall be entitled to twenty-four (24) vacation days per
year.
B. The vacation year is January 1st through December 31st.

C. Up to one (1) years earned vacation hours may be carried over

into the following year.

D. An annual vacation schedule shall be prepared by the Chief or

his designee in accordance with present practice.

E. An employee who terminates their employment with the Board, or

whose employment is terminated by the Board, shall be entitled to

vacation time and/or vacation pay on a prorated basis.

F. 1. Except as provided for within Paragraph F-5 of this

article, a maximum of two (2) firefighters shall be permitted to

be off on vacation, personal, holiday, compensatory or other

scheduled leave at one time.

2. Except as provided for within Paragraph F-5 of this article, a maximum of one (1) fire officer shall be permitted to be off on vacation, personal, holiday, compensatory or other scheduled leave at one time.

29

bargaining unit members temporarily assigned to training, union

and/or other administrative leave or other temporary assignments

so long as the minimum roll call established pursuant to the

public employers managerial prerogative is met.
5. Any bargaining unit member making application for

vacation, personal, holiday, compensatory or other scheduled

leave, over and above that in Paragraphs F-l through F-3, shall be

conditionally approved, subject to roll call and the manpower

needs of the fire district. Any bargaining unit member

conditionally approved for leave must contact the on duty officer

in charge at his/her work station between 0600 and 0615 hours on

the conditionally approved day off in order to confirm approval of

his/her leave.

6. If roll call and manpower falls below that determined to be necessary by the fire district, any conditional approval of leave may be rescinded. The last application submitted shall be the first rescinded. Any bargaining unit member ordered to work as a result of conditional leave being rescinded shall report to his/her duty station no later that 0700 hours. Leave time to cover the period of absence shall be charged to the member's leave balance as appropriate.

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ARTICLE XV SEPARATION, DEATH AND RETIREMENT

provided by all applicable laws.
B. Employees retiring either after twenty-five (25) years of
service pursuant to N.J.S.A. 43:16A-5, or a result of a disability
pension, whether work-connected or not, shall be paid for all
accumulated holidays, vacation and other compensatory time as
provided in this Agreement. Said payments shall be computed at the
rate at the time of retirement based upon the base annual
compensation.
C. Employees intending to retire on other than disability
pension shall accordingly notify the Board by September 1st of the
previous year in which said retirement is to become effective.
D. In the event of an employee's death, their estate or legal
representative shall be paid for all accumulated holidays,
vacation or other compensatory time as provided in this Agreement.
Payments shall be made at the employee's rate of pay at the time
of their death.
E. In the event of an employee's separation from service for any
reason not set forth in Section B or D above, all accumulated
compensatory time shall be paid at the rate of pay at the time of
separation to the employee.
F. For benefits payable in the current year in all cases of
separation, death while not in the line of duty or retirement, all
vacation, holiday, and other compensatory time shall be pro-rated
as of the first of the month if the resignation, death or
retirement is effective after the fifteenth (15th) of the month.
Benefits shall be pro-rated on the calendar year from January 1st
through December 31st.
G. For benefits payable in the then current year in all cases
where the employee died while in the line of duty, all vacation,
holidays, sick leave days, and other compensatory time which would
have accrued for the entire calendar year (in the year of the
employee's death), shall be payable to the employee's estate or
legal representative.
H. Separation shall be defined as any permanent cessation of employment, but shall not be deemed to include temporary leaves of absence, vacation, layoffs, or other temporary leaves.

31

ARTICLE XVI SICK LEAVE

day per month during the first calendar year of employment, and

fifteen (15) days per year for each year of employment thereafter.

Unused sick leave shall be cumulative from year to.year. There

shall be no compensation for unused accumulated sick leave.
B. Sick leave is hereby defined to mean absence by an employee
by reason of personal illness, illness within the immediate
family, observance of quarantine, or as a result of a disabling
injury not compensated under Article XVII.
C. 1. Employees may, at the Board's sole discretion, be
required to furnish a doctor's certificate to substantiate a
request for approval of sick leave when sick leave exceeds three
(3) consecutive work days.
C. 2. Employees may, at the Board's sole discretion, be
required to furnish a doctor's certificate to substantiate a
request for approval of sick leave when said time is used for
Family Leave that exceeds three (3) consecutive work days.
D. The Board may, at the Board's sole discretion, require the
employee to submit acceptable medical evidence of proof of illness
whenever such a requirement appears reasonable to the Board.
E. 1. The Board may, at the Board's sole discretion, require
an employee to be examined by a physician designated and
compensated by the Board as a condition of the employee's
continuation of sick leave or return to work.
2. The Board may require, at its sole discretion and
subject to HIPAA and/or any other law or regulation, an employee
to provide copies of all medical records relevant to the illness
or injury at issue, at the Board's expense, to-a doctor mutually
agreed upon by the Board and Association. Any requested
information shall be provided to the mutually agreed upon doctor
prior to the examination.
3. Any information provided will be protected subject to
the employee's expectation of privacy.
4. The Board shall not unreasonably exercise its managerial
prerogative regarding this subject.

5. Any report issued by a doctor regarding this subject
shall be limited to "Fit For Work" or "Unfit For Work".

32

F. In order to receive compensation while absent on sick leave,

an employee shall report their absence to the Fire Chief or his

designee at least one (1) hour prior to the start of their shift,

if possible.

G. In case of sick leave due to contagious disease or to care

for a seriously ill member of the employee's immediate family,

reasonable proof may, at the Board's sole discretion, be required.

H. An employee who has exhausted their accumulated sick leave may, with the Board's approval, charge additional days of absence to vacation or personal days, or compensatory time, if available.

1. 1. Employees retiring after twenty-five (25) years of service

shall be paid for thirty percent (30%) of all accumulated sick

days as provided in this Agreement. Said payments shall be

computed at the rate of pay at the time of retirement based upon

the base annual compensation.
2. Employees retiring on disability retirement pursuant to the

Police and Firemen's Retirement System shall be paid for all

accumulated sick days as provided in this Agreement.
3. In the event of an employee's death, their estate or legal

representative shall be paid for all accumulated sick days as

provided in this Agreement. Payments shall be made at the

employee's rate of pay at the time of their death.
4. In the event of an employee's separation from service for any

reason not set forth above, the employee shall not be entitled to

any compensation for accumulated sick days.

33

ARTICLE XVII INJURY LEAVE

service-connected injury or illness and is unable to perform their

duties, then, in addition to any sick leave benefits otherwise

provided herein, he may be entitled to full pay for a period of up

to one (1) year. In the event an employee is granted said injury

leave, the Board's sole obligation shall be to pay the employee

the difference between his regular pay and any compensation,

disability, or other payments received from other sources provided

by the Board. At the employee's option, the employee shall either

surrender and deliver any compensation, disability, or other

benefits to the Board and receive from the Board his entire salary

payment, or in the alternative, the employee may retain the

compensation, disability or other benefits and receive from the

Board only the difference of pay.
2. If an employee returns to work from injury leave for less than
one (1) year, he may return to injury leave for the same injury
for an additional period of time which, when added to the initial
period of injury leave, totals no more than one (1) year.
3. When an employee returns from injury leave, he shall be
entitled to a new period of injury leave for a period of up to one
(1) year if the employee submits a new injury claim due to an
independent event causing re-injury or a new injury.

B. When a employee requests injury leave, he or she shall be

placed on "conditional injury leave" until a determination of

whether or not an injury or illness is work related and the

employee is entitled to injury leave is initially made by the

Board's Workmen's Compensation carrier, with the final

determination, if necessary, to be made by the Workmen's

Compensation Bureau or Court. When and if it is finally determined

that the injury or illness is not work related and that the

employee is not entitled to job injury compensation, the employee

shall be denied injury leave and shall have all time off charged

against his or her accumulated sick time and if necessary, against

any other accumulated leave time. If the employee leaves the

employ of the Board prior to reimbursing the Board for such

advanced time, the employee shall be required to reimburse the

Board for such advanced time.

34

35

children, brothers or sisters, the employee shall be granted four

(4) consecutive work days off without loss of pay commencing the
day of death.

B. Leave with pay for three (3) days shall be granted in the

case of the death of grandparents, grandchildren, mother-in-law,

and father-in-law.

C. The Fire Chief may grant leave without pay for anyone else

not included.

D. If additional time is required, an employee may use

accumulated personal, compensatory or vacation time as emergency

leave upon approval of the Fire Chief.

E. An employee will request bereavement leave from the Fire

Chief at the earliest practicable time.

F. Proof of death may be required at the Fire Chief's

discretion.

ARTICLE XIX MILITARY LEAVE

Board, may be granted for good cause to any employee who has

completed their probationary.period.
B. Leave of absence can be any specified time period up to a
maximum of one (1) year.
C. During a leave of absence, the Board will not be responsible

to provide the employee with the benefits provided within Article

XXV. However, if the employee wishes that coverage is extended to

him during that leave, the Board will provide it but it must be

paid by the employee prior to the Board being billed.

38

DPJ>

ARTICLE XXI PENSIONS

bargaining unit shall be accordance with each employee's job title

as set forth by the New Jersey State Department of Personnel,

N.J.S.A. Titles 11 and 11-A.

B. The Board will maintain on file in the Board office a

complete and current Department of Personnel job descriptions for

all required positions.

C. The Board will supply a copy of the most current job

description to an employee when hired and at any time thereafter,

if the job description should change.

uniforms and turnout gear according to the clothing allowance as

set forth in Appendix A attached hereto. All clothing shall meet

N.F.P.A. and O.S.H.A. requirements.

B. Each successive year, each employee shall receive replacement

items upon employee request, if in the opinion of the Fire Chief

or his designee, an item requires replacement. Replacement items

will be ordered and/or received by the employee within five

working days. The employee as soon as reasonably possible will

receive replacement items that are ordered.

C. The Board will be responsible for the cost of changes in

uniform and turnout gear damaged or contaminated in the line of

duty.

D. Uniforms shall be worn on all duty hours except during

physical fitness time. When working in and around stations and

grounds, the uniform shirt may be removed (but employee must wear,

undershirt). The Fire Chief shall determine the proper uniform for

the work being performed.

E. The Board will provide its employees with all turnout gear

and equipment that meet or exceed the requirements of N.F.P.A. and

O.S.H.A.

ARTICLE XXV HOSPITALIZATION AND MEDICAL BENEFITS

B. Any other changes to the current plans and/or provider must be negotiated with and approved by the Association. The employees shall not have any reduction in its current coverage.

C 1. Upon retirement with twenty (20) years of service, each
retiree shall receive retirement health care benefits at a maximum
cost to the fire district of $2,500 per calendar year.
C 2. Retirement health care benefits will be continued until the
death of the retiree.
C 3. The $2,500.00 maximum per calendar year retiree health care
benefit shall be increased annually according to the Consumer
Price Index.

D. In the event of an employee's separation from the District,

hospitalization and medical benefits shall be continued for a

period of one (1) month at the District's expense.

E. Retirees receiving health care benefits from other employment

or their spouse's employment shall not be eligible to receive

benefits pursuant to Paragraph C of this article.

F. Retirees participating in the retirement benefits program

outlined in Paragraph C and then suspending participation in the

program may return to the program with retiree benefits being

resumed at the level maintained when the retiree left the program.

43
ARTICLE XXVI COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

be known as the "Communicable Disease File" in which employees

responding to fire rescue alarms in which contact and/or working

in close proximity to the victims with communicable diseases and

their body fluids shall be recorded in the C.D.F. at the

completion of each alarm. It shall be the employee's

responsibility to notify the officer in charge and initial the

completed C.D.F. form.

B. If the employee is diagnosed with the AIDS Virus or any other

communicable disease, the C.D.F. form shall establish a rebuttable

presumption that the employee is eligible for injury leave

pursuant to Article XVII.

A. There: will be a committee appointed by the President of the

Association which will be permitted to offer in writing any

information approved by the Association to the Fire Chief for the

purchase of equipment, turnout gear, uniform, and apparatus. This

is also to include refurbishing equipment or apparatus, and

altering or constructing new fire stations, and other matters

relating to safety.

B. The Association will supply the Fire Chief with a copy of the

minutes of the Safety Committee meetings.

ARTICLE XXVIII PROMOTIONS

46

ARTICLE XXIX
BULLETIN BOARD

Association bulletin board or portion of a bulletin board in each

station for the sole purpose of posting notices relating only to

matters of official business of all fire organizations and other

employee related matters.

B. Only material authorized by the signature of the Association

Representative, President, or Shop Steward shall be permitted to

be posted on said bulletin board.

C. The Board may require the Association to remove, from the

bulletin board, any material that does not conform with the intent

of the above provisions of this Article. Said material will be

kept on file with the Association.

47

employee covered by this Agreement. Such files are confidential

records and shall be maintained by the Board, and may be used for

evaluation purposes by the Fire Chief, Administrator or Board

only.

B. Upon advanced written notice and at reasonable times, any

employee may review his or her personnel file. However, this

appointment for review must be made through the Fire Chief.

C. Whenever a written complaint concerning an employee or his or

her actions is to be placed in this personnel file, a copy shall

be made available to the employee and he or she shall be given the

opportunity to rebut it if he or she so desires. The employee

shall be permitted to place said rebuttal in his or her file.

D. When an employee rebuts and is found innocent of said

complaint, the written complaint must be removed from the

employees file, and any and all other files within five (5)

working days.

E. All personnel files will be carefully maintained and

safeguard permanently and nothing placed in any files shall be

removed therefrom except as provided in Section D above or by

mutual agreement.

F. Maintenance of the personnel files will be accordance with

the Archives Laws of the State of New Jersey.

ARTICLE XXXI
PRINTING AND SUPPLYING AGREEMENT

49

ARTICLE XXXII STATUTORY AND LEGAL RIGHTS

and conditions of employment applicable on the effective date of

this Agreement shall continue to be so applicable during the terms

of this Agreement.

B. All rights, privileges, and working conditions enjoyed by the

employees, beginning on the effective date of this Agreement,

which are not included in this Agreement, shall remain in full

force, unchanged and unaffected in any manner during the term of

this Agreement, unless changed by mutual consent.

ARTICLE XXXV
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

work precludes employees from binding interest arbitration, then

BLS unit work will cease. Employees ceasing to perform BLS unit

work will no longer be entitled to any compensation received for

performing such work.

B. If, in the future, it is discovered that engaging in BLS unit

work precludes employees from participating in the Police and

Firemen's Retirement System, then BLS unit work will cease.

Employees ceasing to perform BLS unit work will no longer be

entitled to any compensation received for performing such work.

C. In the event of such discovery, any discontinuation of such

work will be held in abeyance pending any appeal process initiated

by the Board provided such stay is approved by the Police and Fire

Retirement System Board of Trustees.

ARTICLE XXXVI
FIRE INSPECTIONS

Inspectors license.

B. The assignment of bargaining unit members to fire inspector

certification training shall be subject to the terms of the

Memorandum of Agreement executed by and between the Union and

District and attached hereto as Appendix B.

C. If, in the future, it is discovered that engaging in fire

inspection work precludes employees from Binding Interest

Arbitration, then fire inspection work will cease. Employees

ceasing to perform fire inspection work will no longer be

entitled to any compensation received for performing such

work.

D. If, in the future, it is discovered that engaging in fire

inspection work precludes employees from participating in the

Police and Fireman's Retirement System, then fire inspection

work will cease. Employees ceasing to perform fire inspection

work will no longer be entitled to any compensation received

for performing such work.

E. In the event of such discovery, any discontinuation of such

work will be held in abeyance pending any appeal process

initiated by the Board provided that such stay is approved by

the Police and Fire Pension System Board of Trustees.

54
ARTICLE XXXVII

JURY DUTY

to be necessary, Fire Officers will be given the opportunity to

work overtime, compensated at a rate of time and half of their

regular rate, prior to the designation of any acting officer.

Officer overtime will be offered on a rotational basis.

B. Firefighters acting in the place of a supervisor shall be

compensated at the hourly rate of Fire Captain for all hours

worked in the acting capacity. Designation of replacements will be

offered on a rotational basis.

56

ARTICLE XXXIX
EMERGENCY LEAVE

ARTICLE XXXX
FULLY BARGAINED AGREEMENT

final understanding and settlement by the parties of all

bargainable issues that were or could have been the subject of

negotiations.

B. The parties acknowledge that during the negotiations that

resulted in this Agreement, each had the unlimited right and

opportunity to make demands and proposals with respect to any

matter or subject not removed by law from the area of collective

bargaining and that the understandings and agreement arrived at by

the parties after the exercise of that right and opportunity are

set forth in this Agreement.

C. This Agreement shall not be modified in whole or in part by

the parties except only by an instrument, in writing, executed by

both parties.

D. It is the intent of the parties that the provisions of this

Agreement will supersede all agreements and understandings, oral

or written, expressed or implied, between the parties and shall

govern their entire relationship and shall be the sole source of

any and all rights or claims which may be asserted in arbitration

hereunder or otherwise. The Board and the Association, for the

life of this Agreement, hereby waive any rights to request to

negotiate or bargain with respect to any matters contained in this

Agreement. It is mutually understood that this clause is a clear

waiver as to any right or claim not expressed in this Agreement.

58

ARTICLE XXXXI

SUPERSEDING CLAUSE

59

ARTICLE XXXXII
NEW JERSEY STATE DISABILITY BENEFITS PROGRAM

agreement, shall elect voluntary temporary disability insurance

coverage under the State Plan effective January 1, 2003 by

filing written notice of such election with the State of New

Jersey, Department of Labor, Division of Employer Accounts.

This coverage shall be applicable to all employees of the Board

who are deemed under law to be covered by the New Jersey

Unemployment Law.
2. The cost of obtaining this coverage is by law, divided

between the employer and the employee. For example, for the

period January 1, 2002 through June 30, 2002, the employer

contribution rate was one half of one percent of the taxable

wages paid (Subject to a taxable wage base).
3. All employees subject to this agreement, and all other

district employees must agree to make contribution toward

financing to ensure the Board's inclusion in the Temporary

Disability Benefits program.
4. All employees subject to this agreement consent to the

contribution to the program and do hereby authorize the Board to

take deductions from their salary as provided by law to ensure

participation in the program.

1.

60

SPOUSAL MATERNITY LEAVE

ARTICLE XXXXIV
LABOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS VOORHEES FIRE DISTRICT # 3
I.A.F.F. AFL -CIO
LOCAL 3249

WITNESS:

63

6 short sleeve shirts
6 long sleeve shirts
6 tee shirts
5 pair of pants
2 badges
1 belt
1 name plate
1 winter/spring coat
1 collared sweat shirt (Job Shirt)

Station footwear:

B. The designated fire district uniform will be mutually agreed upon by the Board and the Association.

64

all new employees to have and maintain a minimum N.J. Division of

Fire Safety Fire Inspector Certification.
2. As of January 1, 1999, the Voorhees Fire District will require

all present employees who are' not N.J. Division of Fire Safety

certified to immediately enroll in the appropriate and necessary

classes to obtain said certification.
3. All employees, as a condition of continued employment, will be

required to maintain a N.J. Division of Fire Safety Inspector

Certification.
4. Assignment as a Fire Inspector shall be on an equitable

rotational basis, the procedure to be mutually agreed upon by the

District and Local. Fire inspections will not be assigned

simultaneously with BLS ambulance duty.

65

become certified. Such opportunity will be scheduled by the

District and the cost will be covered by the District. Employees

will be compensated for attending classes on off-duty time.

Classes scheduled, while an employee is on-duty, will be attended

by the employee, as part of their regularly scheduled time on-

duty. The District may, pursuant to the applicable provisions of

the current collective bargaining agreement, reassign employees

from their regular duty assignment to training. The District and

Union agree that study time will also be provided for employees

enrolled in classes.
6. The current practice of certification maintenance via

continuing education will continue.
7. The appropriate District and Local representatives will meet

to formulate the assignment procedure, as well as determine the

timetable for scheduling the upcoming certification courses.
5.

The Local and District agree as follows:
I. The purpose of this agreement shall be to establish the

District's authority to assign employees to temporary light duty

assignments and establish procedures for granting temporary light

duty to eligible employees.
II. Temporary light duty assignments, when available, are for

employees who, because of injury, illness or disability, are

temporarily unable to perform their regular assignments but who

are capable of performing alternative duty assignments. The use

of temporary light duty can provide employees with an opportunity

to remain productive while convalescing as well as provide a work

option for employees who may otherwise risk their health and

safety or the safety of others by remaining on duty when

physically or mentally unfit for their regular assignment.

Therefore, eligible employees will be given a reasonable

opportunity to work in temporary light duty assignments where available and consistent with this agreement.

Temporary Light Duty M.O.A. - Page 2 of 2

B. The decision as to whether a light duty assignment is

available and the length of such an assignment shall be at the

sole discretion of the Chief. Employees absent due to a work-

connected injury eligible for Worker's Compensation shall have

priority for all light duty assignment. Other employees working

light duty assignments may have such assignments terminated by the

District to give light duty assignments to employees absent due to

a work-connected injury eligible for Worker's Compensation. Such

decisions shall be at the sole discretion of the District.

C. The decision of the District as to the availability of

light duty assignments and/or the length of such assignments shall

be final and at the District's sole discretion.

D. In the event a female employee becomes pregnant, she shall be permitted to perform light duty assignments as described by the District upon written documentation from her physician and only if the District, in its sole discretion, determines that the employee is otherwise eligible for a light duty assignment and such an assignment is available. Said light duty shall be performed until her physician requires that she stop work, until the District determines, in its sole discretion, that she is no longer eligible for light duty assignments, such light duty assignments are no longer available and/or another employee is given priority for such light duty assignments.