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.