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Posted by: blueman08

hello all..i am from a department with approximately 33 patrolman in middlesex county. We currently, and have been for as long as time, use "split shifts" or days. If you are not assigned the 7-3 day shift, you are assigned, by the Chief of Police, to the split shift (11p-7a, 11p-7a, 3p-11p, 3p-11p) with 2 days off. There is no bidding of shifts, you are strictly assigned by the adminstration. Our union is trying to implement straight shifts with bidding, however, we're receiving resistance because the adminstration wants ultimate control on assigning officers where they see fit. They also have an issue with bidding more than once per year because of "scheduling, vacation, etc." We would like to bid every six months. Does anyone have any suggestions on:
1. how they divide their shifts and how they bid
2. how they handle vacation time if bidding more than once per year
3. what we can do to get this implemented
The administration wants to "bargain" this if we want to bid, meaning the union will have to give something up, which we are sure would be something substantial.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Stay safe all.

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Posted by: Delta784

We went to straight shifts almost 10 years ago. Now, once per year (usually March or April), the "board" is wiped clean, meaning every assignment in the patrol division is up for grabs by seniority. You can choose what shift you want, and also what assignment you want (where you work). Needless to say, this is great for the older guys, not so great for the newbies.

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Posted by: mikemac64

If you really want it, and they hold the keys to it, you will have to bargain. It's the way of the world. Give some to get some.

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Posted by: Macop

Blueman08 I workd in Chatham for 3 yrs and we did the shift bidding by senority every 6 months, 4 months under the upcoming contract. The bidding process was simple we bidded by senority and the 1 senior guy obviously got any pic he wanted, and it would just go down the line to the line. The way vacations worked was you simply put in a request at least 5 days in advance and it was a first come first serve type of deal. Of course there could not be too many officers from the same shift on a Vac day at once, which makes scense, and the bidding should not have any effect on vacation requests. It also depends how much the admin wants to be assholes or cooperative. But I thought I worked well. Good luck!!

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Posted by: Killjoy

Maybe an arbitrator is the way to go. Also you could poll all the local departments in your area, and see how they assign shifts. If 95% of the local departments have shift-bid rights, it would be hard for your administration to argue with that. We bid 4 and 2, with a 60 day bid cycle, based on seniority. Vacation is first-come, first serve, but with senior guys getting priority.

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Posted by: 94c

if you're concerned about vacations, why not sell them on yearly bids with the bids picked before the vacations. Once true seniority kicks in the only major movement will be at the lower rung of the ladder.

The older guys will pretty much stay where they are.

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Posted by: pahapoika

that swing shift must be a killer

DOC has set shift and days off , all based on seniority. rookies work nights and get days off during the week. older guys get days and a piece of the weekend.

holidays are picked by seniority. every week in the calender has so many openings ( say 4 )and officers pick their vacation weeks starting in january for the beginning of the fiscal year in july.

wish we had the 4/2 schedule. 18 extra days off and makes shift swapping easier.

good luck with that. will be interesting to see what they want you to give up
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Posted by: girlcop21

Contractually, my department as a 4/2 schedule with a shift bid every August, with two weeks notice prior to the shift change. Each shift has whatever amount of spaces posted and officers sign up for the open spaces based upon seniority.

As far as vacations and holidays... they are first come first serve and accomodations between officers can usually be made as far as filling OT. You can have your time off request cancelled out if someone with more seniority puts in for it up to a certain amount of time prior to that day off request.

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Posted by: Mitpo62

My department works a 5 and 3 schedule. No shift bids unless a vacancy exists, usually with a new hire. Vacations are selected in the fall for the following year and are done by seniority on the shift. We receive five personal days each year, which can be taken almost at a moment's notice. Also self swaps.....

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Posted by: blueman08

thanks for the info everyone. we're meeting in a couple of weeks to discuss our options.

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Posted by: nypdbronxcop

Our patrol schedule is 5 on with 2 off, then 5 on 3 off, with each tour of duty being 8hrs 35 mins for cops. Once you are in a platoon (shift) you stay until an opening in another one comes up. Then they will put up a "help wanted" flyer.

Vacation picks come out at the end of the year as a sheet that has all the names on it, in seniority order. Senior guy gets it first, makes his picks, and passes it down the line.

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