FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOP RESOLVES GRIEVANCE PROTECTING MEMBERS CONSTITUTIONAL AND CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS!
NEPTUNE, NJ – The FOP-NJ Labor Council, on behalf of the members of Neptune Superior Officers Association Lodge 19, resolved a grievance preserving our members constitutional and contractual rights. On January 20, 2021, the Township demanded members identify if they participated in the “January 6, 2021 siege on the US Capital in Washington, DC”. An incident the FOP at all levels clearly and unequivocally condemned. The January 20, 2021 notice further went on to state that members would face discipline if they refused to answer. Notably, there was absolutely no indication, complaint, or information to suggest that any Neptune Superior Officer was in any way involved in the January 6th events in Washington DC., The FOP concluded that this investigation was done for solely political purposes and was not based on fact or credible information.
The FOP-NJ Labor Council acted immediately and filed a grievance challenging the legality of the notice and the requirement to compel our members to answer. The grievance alleged violations of our members’ rights under the collective negotiations’ agreement with the Township of Neptune. The grievance further alleged violations of the Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the United States Constitution and Article 1 of the New Jersey Constitution. After a review of the grievance filed by the FOP-NJ Labor Council, the township sustained the grievance, in accordance with the contractual procedure and our members rights were protected! The FOP is pleased that later that same evening the Mayor and Council of the Township of Neptune reversed their position and rescinded the notice.
The FOP, and the FOP-NJ Labor Council will continue to defend our members, without fail and with the full resources at our disposal.
We are FOP Strong!
Bob Fox
President