"Just Honor the Contract": ECPDPBA Responds in Healthcare Dispute Involving Terminally Ill Captain

The Englewood Cliffs PBA is challenging the borough administrator's rationale regarding retiree healthcare contributions, as contract discussions continue — a conflict focusing on benefits for Capt. Keith Wicker, who is facing terminal cancer following over 25 years of service.

In a written statement provided to Daily Voice, the union disputed Borough Administrator Intashan Chowdhury's assertion that the borough and the union had not been following Chapter 78 law since 2011.

"The borough administrator now states that Englewood Cliffs has not complied with state law since 2011. This creates a major concern: is he suggesting that every town and labor attorney over the past 15 years has been breaking the law?" the PBA wrote.

The union stated that officers have endured financial compromises for over ten years to maintain retiree healthcare benefits.

For more than ten years, officers have given up raises, longevity pay, and even the Deputy Chief position specifically to safeguard their retiree benefits," the statement says. "If the administrator is correct, he's acknowledging a decade of legal neglect, and if he's mistaken, he's simply removing benefits that were earned and paid for through years of police compromises.

The PBA states that the existing contract terms are well-defined.

The contract explicitly mentions that the town will fully pay for healthcare contributions for retired members of this department," the union stated. "It also clearly indicates that if a member passes away, the healthcare coverage provided by the town will go to the spouse and children, with no contributions required from them.

Local officials have previously stated that Wicker's spouse and children will receive health insurance, although they will need to meet the requirements outlined in Chapter 78.

The union also claimed that Chapter 78 has an expiration date and does not necessitate the 35% contribution mentioned by the administrator.

"He mentions that the law in chapter 78 must be followed, but chapter 78 has an expiration date, so there's no justification for requiring current members and especially those who retired after 25 years of service under the contractual terms of zero contributions to be subject to a 35% rate," the statement says.

Our contractual contributions have consistently been zero," the union stated. "Chapter 78 does permit the discussion of negotiated figures. In fact, the state minimum under Chapter 78, if a town decided not to follow the existing contract, would be 1.5%.

Regarding Capt. Wicker, the PBA stated that his family should not have to pay for healthcare: "Our contract terms are clear, and his family should not be asked to contribute anything after their loved one has provided 25 years of committed service to this community," the union states.

The statement ended with a clear request to local officials.

We're not asking the borough to create something from scratch. We're simply asking them to do what's right and uphold the contract that previous leaders have always respected," the union stated. "Just follow the contract, that's all we're requesting.

Chowdhury mentioned that discussions between the borough and the PBA are still in progress.