To All Delegates and Members

August 27, 2004

On August 25, 2004 the New York State Public Employment Relations Board (“PERB”) announced the appointment of the neutral arbitrator to preside over the interest arbitration between the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association and the City of New York for a successor collective bargaining agreement. The neutral arbitrator is Eric Schmertz, an arbitrator with close to half a century of arbitration experience. I have attached the PERB press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Schmertz. It includes biographical information setting forth Mr. Schmertz’s professional experience.

With the appointment of Schmertz as the neutral arbitrator, we expect to move expeditiously towards arbitration and a final binding decision setting the terms of our next contract.

Fraternally,

Patrick J. Lynch
President