Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla is urging the city council to approve a five-year, retroactive contract for the local Police Superior Officers Association (PSOA) on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This agreement represents a direct investment in the safety, stability, and well-being of our city. It reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that Hoboken remains a safe, thriving, and vibrant community, where residents can feel secure in their homes, on our streets, and throughout our neighborhoods,” Bhalla wrote in a letter to the council today.
“As you know, the members of the PSOA are essential to the daily operations of our police department. They provide leadership in the field, manage large scale events and critical incidents, and serve as a vital connection between law enforcement and the community … This contract is not only fair, it is a smart and forward-looking investment in the future of Hoboken.”
The proposed five-year deal, which is good from January 1st, 2024 through December 31st, 2028, with no raises for 2024 and 2025, according to a copy of the memorandum of understanding (MOU).
In 2026, PSOA members will receive five percent raises on January 1st and July 1st, with six-and-a-half precent raises on January 1st and March 1st of 2027. 2028 would not include any raises, either.
The resolution is sponsored by 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo and Councilman-at-Large Joe Quintero.
The Hoboken council approved an eight-year, retroactive deal for the Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) back in March, and that union eventually endorsed Bhalla and his running mate Katie Brennan for state Assembly in the 32nd Legislative District.
Prior to Bhalla and Brennan’s primary victory on June 10th, the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) President Peter Andreyev said that local PBAs “do not have the authority” to endorse candidates for state Assembly, all as HCV first reported.
The Hoboken City Council convenes this evening at City Hall, 94 Washington St., at 7 p.m. and the public session will also stream live on their YouTube page.
bhalla should resign- this is an absolute joke.
u will have captains making over $250k before OT
anyone who votes for this is voting for fat cops to become fatter
ask how much the guy who holds the mayor’s bag is going to get paid everyday
This is as you point out is yet another Ravi Bhalla political payoff. It’s one big circle jerk. Who is next in line for the giveaways? Emily Jabbour and Joe Quintero, Ravibots who are equally awful.
No where in Bhallas plea is the cost of this retroactive give back mentioned, which is pretty typical of the way we have operated over the past 8 years. This is not normal. This is Hudson County. This is pathetic.
What’s worse is that some pretty smart people have not caught on to this – or simply don’t care.