As reported in NJ.Com, Judge Jacobson’s ruling this week that public worker pension contributions are contractually protected will constrict the state’s ability to balance its budget in the future, Moody’s, a Wall Street rating agency, said today. The flexibility of the state’s pension payment has been “a tool essential” to balancing the budget, Moody’s Investors
Contract Negotiations
Is Your Labor Union Leaving Money at The Bargaining Table?
As many of our readers are aware, collective bargaining for New Jersey Public Safety Officers is a great deal different since the two percent “2%” salary cap was instituted and set into motion. However, to recap this issue quickly for those readers that may be unfamiliar with the two percent (2%) salary cap, no collective…
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…
Reviewing the “2% Cap” Under New Jersey’s Interest Arbitration Statute
It has been quite a while since we have provided our readers with information related to the legal issues surrounding New Jersey Public Safety Officers. With that being said, we believe it is now very important to provide an overview or a “re-cap” of the New Jersey 2% Salary Cap under the Current Interest Arbitration…
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.
The editorial stated that the 2% cap had to be put in place
…
Deal Is Not Close With Largest NJ Public Worker Union, Gov. Christie Says
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Contract Negotiations
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie says contract talks with New Jersey’s largest public worker union are continuing at a slow pace. Christie says the administration has offered proposals on wages and non-economic issues to the Communications Workers of America. However, he does not expect an agreement within the next two weeks.
The …
Gov. Christie, CWA Begin Bargaining Over Health Benefits
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Contract Negotiations
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie began bargaining over health benefits for state employees this week, according to a memo sent out to members of the Communications Workers of America obtained by the Star-Ledger.
Christie has been adamant for months that he would obtain changes to employee health benefits through legislation. The new …
CWA Files Unfair Practice Charge Against Christie
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Contract Negotiations
As reported by app.com, New Jersey’s largest state worker union filed an unfair practice charge against Governor Chris Christie’s administration, saying the administration has so far refused to negotiate health care costs.
The Communication Workers of America filed the charge with the state Public Employment Relations Commission (“PERC”) on May 12, 2011. Union …
Ohio Passes Law that Severely Restricts the Collective Bargaining Rights of Public Safety Officers
By Frank M. Crivelli on
Posted in Contract Negotiations
As reported by the New York Times, On Thursday, March 31, 2011, the State of Ohio passed a law that is more restrictive on the collective bargaining rights of Public Safety Officers than the law that was passed in Wisconsin several weeks ago.
While both laws severely limit public employees’ ability to bargain collectively…
CWA Promises Benefit Savings
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Contract Negotiations
As reported by app.com, the union that represents some 35,000 state and local government workers is offering to make changes in New Jersey’s health insurance system that would, as one official promised, save “tens of millions of dollars.” The proposal by the Communication Workers of America came as union leaders and negotiators for Governor …