When a New Jersey law enforcement officer or firefighter is suspended without pay pending the outcome of a disciplinary action, namely, termination charges, state law provides that a final determination on the charges shall be rendered within 180 calendar days from the date he or she is suspended without pay. Under the law, if a
Pay and Overtime
Are Your Rights Under the FMLA and the NJFLA Negotiable? Examining the Interplay between Family/ Medical Leave and Paid Leave Time
Both the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and New Jersey’s Family Leave Act (FLA) provide that an employer may adopt a policy requiring an employee to exhaust accrued paid leave during periods of FMLA/ FLA leave. In these situations, an employee would have to simultaneously utilize paid leave during periods of FMLA/ FLA leave…
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…
Police Call Layoffs a Union-Busting Tactic
As reported by northjersey.com, members of the Bergen County Bureau of Police Services police union on Monday protested more than two dozen impending layoffs and about a dozen demotions that, the union head said, is an attempt to bust the 75-officer organization.
But Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino, the target of the union’s ire…
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…
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…
New Jersey Senate Passes Bill Placing Armed, Retired Police Officers in Schools
As reported by N.J.com, a bill creating a new class of police officer — and stationing armed, retired cops inside New Jersey schools — passed the New Jersey State Senate on Thursday after lawmakers adopted an amendment recommended by Governor Christie.
The measure (S2983), which was unanimously approved, establishes “Class Three” special…
The Unforseen Costs of Overtime in New Jersey’s County Correctional Facilities
As reported this week in NJ.Com, County Correctional facilities across New Jersey spent approximately $185.7 million on overtime for correction officers, who clocked in approximately 3.9 million hours at the time and a half rate between 2010 and 2012, according to a report by the New Jersey State Comptroller.
Out of the 21 counties…
South Hunterdon County Municipalities to Discuss the Consolodation of Public Safety Services
As reported in NJ.Com. the Mayors of the three South Hunterdon municipalities with local police forces are talking about a regionalized department and are moving forward with the support of county Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III and Freeholder Rob Walton.
The mayors of Lambertville, West Amwell and Delaware Townships advocate a police merger. A…
NJ.Com Editorial Calls for Renewal of the 2% Salary Cap–In Our Opinion, It Has To Go
A recent editorial published on NJ.Com calls for Assembly Speaker, Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson County) to renew the two percent (2%) salary cap on interest arbitration awards for law enforcement officers and firefighters that is set to expire on April 1, 2014.
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