Labor Employment - New Jersey Law Blog

Police Lay-offs In New Jersey Contemplated

Stark & Stark — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 08:09:17 -0500

According to last week’s Trenton Times, 50% of the State’s municipalities plan to lay off police officers this fiscal year, with most of the lay-offs occurring before June 30, 2010. A layoff of police officers would seem to be the last thing a municipality would want to do, however, the individuals who make these kind of choices are generally not police officers. The lack of resources caused by these upcoming layoffs builds pressure on already straining resources. Undoubtedly, some of the most useful and beneficial police work, such as placement of police officers in schools, will suffer as a result of these cutbacks. Only time will tell what impact these cutbacks will have on “management/police" relations over the next year or two.

Card Check Legislation Languishes

Stark & Stark — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:46:56 -0500

Before the Great Recession pounced on us in the summer of 2008, the hottest legislation to hit Capitol Hill was “card check,” otherwise known as the Employee Free Choice Act. In general, the Act would make union organization much simpler, eliminating formal voting and replacing it with members simply filling out cards until the requisite number was reached to justify the formation of a union local. Legislation seemed to be on a rapid trajectory to President Obama’s desk but has gotten lost in the various wars, recession, oil spill and health care reform.

With finance reform now being the hot topic of the day, “card check” has apparently been left behind. Although attempts were made at the beginning of the year to attach it to other pieces of legislation, it was clear that the bill must raise or fall on its own merit. Given the “centrist” position that President Obama has taken with regard to financial/economic matters, it seems unlikely that he will champion what is arguably the most favorable pro-union bill to be considered in decades. Still, the President and his party cannot rely on union support forever if they fail to take action on what has been the Union’s legislative “baby.” They may pay a price at the polls.

Governor's New Policies Spell Trouble For Public Union Members

Stark & Stark — Thu, 27 May 2010 08:24:46 -0500

Members of public unions (i.e., police, fire, Turnpike, etc.) are in for a rough ride this year as the full impact of Governor Christie’s policies start to be felt. Not only are there significant cutbacks in spending, but it is becoming apparent that management will be much more aggressive with disciplinary sanctions than ever before. For instance, be prepared to see minor infractions treated as major disciplinary offenses. Also, be prepared to see penalties which previously were handled by a 1-5 day suspension proceedings now being used to justify 30-day suspensions. Union members would be well advised to treat all disciplinary charges very seriously, as they will no doubt be used to “fill up” the record against certain employees within the “disclosure” period of the contract - and then be used at subsequent disciplinary hearings as evidence a “history” of disciplinary problems.