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.