New Jersey Public Safety Officers Law Blog : New Jersey Public Safety Employee Lawyer & Attorney : Pellettieri, Rabstein & Altman Law Firm : Workers Compensation, Discipline Representation for Police & Firefighters : New Jersey

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On Friday, April 17, 2009, The Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, upheld the ability of state and local governments to furlough public employees. The court agreed with the decision of the state government that the fiscal crisis that the state and nation currently faces allows for emergency action.

In citing its opinion the court stated, "Given the economic crisis confronting the state and nation, and the fluid and rapidly unfolding circumstances in which we live, we find the statement of 'imminent peril' to be sufficient," said the panel of three appellate judges in their decision.

Union lawyers argued in court the preceding day that the state has not proved it is in "imminent peril," a requirement to pass the emergency rule that authorized furloughs between now and June 30, the end of the current fiscal year. The appeals court did not say whether departments could stagger furloughs over a period of time, leaving that decision for the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission. More information on this topic will be reported when the same becomes available.  To read the entire article printed in the Newark Star Ledger click on the link below.

Furloughed Employees

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Yesterday, April 16, 2009, the Appellate Division conducted oral argument on the Emergency Temporary Layoff Rule. Specifically, the Appellate Division heard argument on the four appeals from the Civil Service Commission’s emergency rule authorizing temporary layoffs, also known as mandatory furloughs. The argument was conducted in the Morris County Courthouse in Morristown, New Jersey, with dozens of union members packing the courtroom. 

Lawyers arguing for the public employee unions said the State did not prove it was in “imminent peril,” a requirement to pass the emergency rule that authorizes the furloughs. Moreover, it was asserted that the furloughs are a clear breach of contract in violating numerous collective bargaining agreements.

The Assistant Attorney General, who represented the State, said the Civil Service Commission followed all the rules when it authorized furloughs. He further contended that public employees were risking layoffs by protesting furloughs.

The Appellate Division did not make a ruling on the case, but said to expect one soon. Therefore, please continue to check this blog periodically for updates as further information becomes available.  

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On April 8, 2009, the Administrative Office of the Courts issued a press release announcing that the Appellate Division will be conducting oral argument on the Emergency Temporary Layoff Rule. Specifically, the Appellate Division, Part H will hear oral argument on the four appeals from the Civil Service Commission’s emergency rule authorizing temporary layoffs, also known as mandatory furloughs. 

These lawsuits were the subject of a recent entry on this blog. The appeals were filed by the New Jersey State PBA; the Communication Workers of America, AFL-CIO, Council 73 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, and Camden County Council 10; the Probation Association of New Jersey; and the New Jersey State Firemen’s Benevolent Association.

The argument will be heard by Appellate Division Judges Edwin H. Stern, Ariel A. Rodriguez and Edith K. Payne on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 12, third floor, Morris County Courthouse, Washington and Court Streets in Morristown, New Jersey.  

Please continue to check this blog periodically for updates regarding this appeal. As you are aware, the outcome of these actions will have a significant impact upon all State employees, to include public safety officers. Should the emergency rule be upheld, temporary layoffs will be instituted beginning in May 2009.   

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Four New Jersey unions are asking a court to stop mandatory furloughs of public workers. Yesterday, March 30, 2009, the New Jersey Policemen’s Benevolent Association and the Communication Workers of America, which collectively represent 93,000 police officers, firefighters and rank-and-file state and municipal workers, filed separate actions in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division. The Probation Association of New Jersey and the Firemen’s Benevolent Association also filed similar suits. The actions seek to block a new Civil Service Commission rule giving the Governor and local governing bodies emergency power to impose temporary layoffs because of the economic crisis.

As stated in a previous blog entry, Governor Corzine and the State of New Jersey intend on instituting a mandatory furlough program, which requires various State of New Jersey employees to absorb unpaid days of absence from their position of employment. Initially, the mandatory furlough program requires certain State employees to absorb two (2) unpaid days of absence from the workplace, specifically one day each in May and June 2009. Thereafter, the State seeks to extend the mandatory furlough program into Fiscal Year 2010, whereby certain State employees are to absorb twelve (12) unpaid days of absence from the workplace, one day each month for the entire fiscal year.

To accomplish this goal, on March 25, 2009, the Civil Service Commission adopted, on less than 24 hours notice, a new, emergency rule, N.J.A.C. 4A:8-1.1, to permit “temporary layoffs,” or furloughs, for both State and local employees. The Commission did so without any notice to the parties who would be immediately affected by this action and without an opportunity to discuss the proposed rule. It is this rule which is being challenged by the various unions.

It goes without saying these lawsuits are of vital importance to any law enforcement officer, firefighter, and State of New Jersey employee. The outcomes of these actions might very well have a drastic impact not only on any and all State employees, but the public at large. As a result, please consult this blog periodically to ascertain updates regarding the status of these lawsuits.      

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