Bill Text: NJ SR108 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges timely commencement of collective bargaining with State employee union representatives.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-10 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee [SR108 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SR108-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator BOB SMITH
District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset)
Senator JIM WHELAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Lesniak
SYNOPSIS
Urges timely commencement of collective bargaining with State employee union representatives.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging the Administration to immediately begin bargaining in good faith with State employee union representatives.
Whereas, In 1968, the State of New Jersey extended to public employees coverage under the "New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act," P.L.1941, c.100 (C.34:13A-1 et seq.); and
Whereas, Collective bargaining is the process of negotiation between union representatives and the employer to decide the terms and conditions of employment of employees, including wages, hours of work, working conditions and grievance procedures, and certain benefits including health care, in order to achieve contract results as reflected in a collective bargaining agreement; and
Whereas, Collective bargaining has a long and proud tradition in New Jersey and has worked to ensure fairness in the workplace; and
Whereas, Particularly during difficult economic times, public sector collective negotiations have displayed the willingness of employees and their unions to work with employers to save tax dollars and provide the most efficient and cost effective delivery of services for New Jersey's residents; and
Whereas, This cooperative effort was most recently demonstrated in 2009 when the State employees' contract was re-opened due to the difficult economy and State budget shortfall, resulting in $200 million in savings for the 2010 budget, as 10 unpaid furlough days were negotiated, as well as deferring a wage increase and employees received a no-layoff pledge through December 2010, saving jobs during a difficult economic climate; and
Whereas, The current State workers' contracts expire on June 30, 2011 and New Jersey's economy is struggling to recover and suffering with stubbornly high unemployment, currently above 9%; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respects the collective bargaining process and embraces it as the best course of action for negotiating employee and employer relations and terms of employment, and urges the Administration to immediately begin negotiating in good faith with union representatives of State employees so a timely and fair contract can be agreed to between both parties.
2. Duly authenticated copies of the resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the Governor of New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This bill affirms that the Senate respects the collective bargaining process and embraces it as the best course of action for negotiating employee and employer relations and terms of employment, and urges the Administration to immediately begin negotiating in good faith with union representatives of State employees so a timely and fair contract can be agreed to between both parties.
