Yesterday the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) ruled that the State of New Jersey engaged in unfair labor practices by unilaterally discontinuing the payment of salary guide step increments upon the expiration of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Supervisors Association’s (NJLESA) and the New Jersey Superior Officers’ Associations (NJSOA) contracts that ran from
Contract Negotiations
Senate President Sweeney Wants To Put Public Employee Benefits and Pensions On the Chopping Block Again
As reported in NorthJersey.com, New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney has plans to wring savings out of government which could fall hard on public employee unions. Supposedly Sweeny wants to enlist Governor Philip Murphy as his “partner”, but Murphy wants no part of it.
Sweeney’s post-budget focus on cost cutting poses a dilemma for Murphy.…
Proposed Bill Intended to Help Union Officials Gain Easier Access to Public Workers in NJ
As reported by whyy.org, a bill advancing in the New Jersey Legislature would ensure that union representatives have greater access to the public employees they represent. Dubbed the Workplace Democracy Enhancement Act, the measure would allow unions to meet with employees during lunch and other breaks to talk about their issues and grievances. …
Preparing for Collective Negotiations in 2018 Now That The 2% Salary Cap Has Expired
Next week I will again be speaking at the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association’s Collective Bargaining Seminar in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Now that the two percent (2%) Interest Arbitration Salary Cap has expired and not been renewed, this will be the first time in eight (8) years that the seminar is being…
Judge Halts Christie’s Atlantic City Police Layoffs
As reported by Philly.com, a Superior Court judge has temporarily blocked the State of New Jersey from unilaterally imposing layoffs and schedule changes on the Atlantic City Police Department.
The ruling is the second time Judge Julio Mendez has checked the vast powers granted the Christie administration under the Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act,…
NJ Supreme Court Hears Argument Over Government Imposed Salary Freeze
As reported by N.J.com, public employee unions and government officials clashed Monday in a case before the state Supreme Court that could determine whether workers across New Jersey will get pay raises.
The state’s highest court heard oral arguments over the whether “step” increases — increases in pay when workers reach annual milestones…
Christie Signs Bill Allowing Retired Officers to Provide Security for NJ Schools
As reported by N.J.com, specially trained retired police officers may be hired to provide security for public and private schools and community colleges in New Jersey under a bill Gov. Chris Christie signed into law Wednesday.
The governor conditionally vetoed an earlier version of the legislation two months ago because it did not require…
Agencies Barred From Unilaterally Changing Terms of Bargaining Agreement, Court Rules
As reported by the New Jersey Law Journal, public employers do not have a unilateral right to change the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with their workers merely by citing an economic crisis, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday.
In a 6-0 ruling, the state’s highest court said a local school…
Christie Nixes Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers – Claims Measure Would Give Unions Added Leverage in Negotiations
As reported by the New Jersey Law Journal, Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Nov. 14 vetoed legislation that would have broadened the ability of striking workers to collect unemployment benefits while they were off the job.
In his veto message to S2160, Christie said it was bad enough that the state’s current…
Blue Justice Podcast #01 (Negotiating Collective Bargaining Agreements)
Time for some negotiation-education! In our very first episode of the Blue Justice Podcast, Frank Crivelli explains why experience is so important when it comes to collective bargaining and negotiating a union’s contract. We plan on posting a new podcast on a regular basis, every other week or so, so please check back periodically for…