CALL TO ORDER

PBA President Patrick Lynch called meeting to order.

• Salute to Flag.
• Respects to all fallen officers, seriously injured officers and those who stand wrongfully accused.
• Recording Secretary Robert Zink reported opening correspondence.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Mr. Lynch informed the delegate body that post-hearing briefs will be filed on June 14^th and June 28^th. Mr. Lynch also discussed the tentative UFT settlement and introduced Bob Linn, the PBA's lead negotiator, to explain the settlement. Mr. Lynch explained that final briefs to the PERB panel were being written using the testimony and input from the strongest list of witnesses ever put together by the PBA, including economists, city budget experts, law enforcement managers and legal staff.

REPORT OF BOB LINN (Labor Negotiator)

Mr. Linn described the teachers contract as follows:

a)      30½ month contract.

b)     4% 1^st day 1^st year of contract.

c)      5% 1^st day 2^nd year of contract.

d)     State Funding in excess of $275 million to fund the contract.

e)      Sept. 1, 2002: 6% compounded with an additional 1% to be spread around the lower steps of the pay schedule, total wage package of 16.75% in exchange for a 20-min. workday extension with option to aggregate time for an additional class period per week. Mr. Linn explained that the city will argue that this settlement is part of the civilian pattern. However, Mr. Linn explained that he believed there were 4 different patterns in this round:. a) Civilian b) Uniformed c) Teachers d) Librarians. He also insisted that there should be a 5^th pattern for NYC police officers.

POLITICAL ACTION

Mr. Lynch announced that the PBA has introduced bill #A11287 and S7672 in Albany that will prohibit the Department from disciplining police officers for failing to meet arrest and "C" summons quotas. All delegates were asked to distribute a support letter in support of the bill to members to send to their respective NYS Senators and NYS Assembly representatives.

REPORT OF ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNCIL DAVID NICHOLSON

Mr. Nicholson announced that the PBA in cooperation with other municipal unions had filed a Federal lawsuit in the Southern District of New York challenging the Section 1127 levy. In addition, Mr. Nicholson reported that the World Economic Forum grievance was denied at the third and fourth steps of the grievance process and a request for arbitration was filed on April 9, 2002. An arbitration hearing is expected in the fall.

REPORT LEGAL ISSUES:

Stu London

1.      CCRB is currently expediting its cases from the initial intake to the final disposition. Members of the service will be receiving substantiated letters from CCRB. Upon receipt of such letters, please advise members to call the law firm. One recent example is the discovery that a witness against a police officer had a perjury conviction and we were able to undermine the advocate's case against the officer with this information.

2.      We have had two (2) recent cases where we have rejected the First Deputy Commissioner's recommendation and gone to trial with better results than the original negotiated offer.

3.      Schwarz trial is in the jury selection process. Testimony will begin on June 24, 2002.

4.      All vehicular accidents with a possibility of alcohol being involved are being treated much more seriously by the Police Department with respect to their initial response.

Greg Longworth

1.      Discussion of World Trade Center issues.

2.      Petitions still available against cop-killer, Anthony Bottom, killer of  P.O. Piagentini and P.O. Jones, who is up for parole in July of this year.

3.      Anthony Labone, who was the shooter of P.O. Scarangelli and P.O. Ramsey, has had his assets frozen by the law firm in furtherance of denying him any benefit from his criminal act.

Steve Worth

1.       Discussion of recent Article 78 matter in which two (2) officers had their guilty verdicts vacated due to lack of substantial evidence found in the record. Judge Tomkins was specifically criticized for findings in light of no evidence being available.

2.       The First Deputy Commissioner has rejected negotiated pleas of command disciplines and is holding offers in abeyance until full "fact finding hearings" are held creating a record as to the actions taken by the subject officers.

3.       Discussion of recent trial room case involving an officer charged with DWI and leaving the scene of an accident under the new alcohol policy. Trial commissioner favorably noted at the conclusion of the evidence that officers previously in similar situation were given penalties less than dismissal.

PENSION ISSUES

Report of Joe Maccone (Pension Consultant)

Mr. Maccone discussed the following with respect to pension loans when members retire: Mr. Maccone advised members of the benefits of withdrawing the maximum amount from their pension at time of retirement. If the member chooses not to take the loan at retirement and leaves the funds in the pension system, the city will keep the money upon the member's death.