MIDDLESEX TWP — After months of contract negotiations between the police union and the township, discussions have ground to a halt, and the union has opted to take the matter to arbitration.

At issue is the union's request to switch to a “step salary scale” to control how much officers are paid and when pay increases are due, according to Jack Haller, an attorney representing the union. Under such a system, officers' pay would be based on a metric of experience and time at the department, with automatic raises after a set period.

“Basically, the police are looking for a step salary scale so all the police officers are on a fair system: that when you get so many years in ... you get this salary,” Haller said. “Right now it's completely arbitrary.”

This is an excerpt — a full article will appear in the Butler Eagle.