Labor & Employment (Collective Bargaining) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4578: Requires proportional distribution of payment between employers for health benefit payment obligations for certain retirees.

This bill requires public employers in New Jersey to share the cost of health benefits for retirees who worked for multiple government entities, dividing the expense proportionally based on how long each employer employed the retiree. It applies to retirees who qualify for employer-paid health coverage and were employed by more than one state or local government agency or higher education institution. The law allows employers to choose whether to contribute to these costs and does not change existing collective bargaining agreements. Additionally, the bill updates rules for how certain state employees contribute to their own health coverage in retirement.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2542: Allows State, municipality, and county to implement automatic enrollment of their employees in deferred compensation plans.

This bill allows New Jersey state, municipal, and county employers to automatically enroll employees in retirement savings plans (deferred compensation plans) unless they opt out. It establishes a default contribution rate, permits periodic increases in contributions, and requires employers to provide employees with clear notice and the option to adjust or stop contributions. Employers must also negotiate automatic enrollment terms with union representatives for covered employees, and designate a default investment option if employees don’t choose one. The bill was withdrawn after being enacted as part of P.L.2025, c.358, making these provisions effective law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Retirement Benefits

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2154: Appoints members to State Health Benefits Commission and School Employees' Health Benefits Commission.

This bill increases membership on two New Jersey health benefits commissions. It expands the State Health Benefits Commission from 5 to 9 members and the School Employees' Health Benefits Commission from 9 to 13 members. The bill specifies new appointment procedures, including adding three local employee representatives for the State Commission and increasing union and association representation for the School Commission. It also creates a new State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee with 12 members to manage health plan details like medical and dental benefits. The changes are procedural, affecting only the composition and structure of these commissions, not the health benefits programs themselves.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3316: Establishes employee protections for certain employees of New Jersey City University in event of merger with Kean University.

This bill protects faculty and professional staff at New Jersey City University (NJCU) who are part of recognized labor unions if NJCU merges with Kean University. It prohibits job loss, layoffs, involuntary reassignment, or reduced hours for these employees for three years after the merger. During this period, Kean University must first offer any vacant positions to transferred NJCU employees before hiring externally, and provide a two-year transition period for staff to meet new job requirements. The bill also ensures all existing union contracts, benefits, seniority, and retirement rights transfer fully to Kean University for three years.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3384: Institutes State contract set-aside program for union business enterprises.

Bill S 3384 establishes a state program requiring New Jersey contracting agencies to set aside certain state contracts (for goods, equipment, construction, or services) so that only businesses with union workforces can bid on them. To qualify, a business must have a union workforce, be based in New Jersey, hire apprentices, and make a good-faith effort to maintain a diverse workforce. The bill sets a goal that contracting agencies award at least 22% of their contracts to these "union business enterprises," either through direct awards or by requiring subcontracting portions of contracts. The Department of the Treasury will administer the program and verify business qualifications, with contracting agencies needing to ensure at least three qualified bidders are available before setting aside a contract.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3874: Permits State employees not covered by collective negotiations agreements to enroll in certain negotiated health care plans.

This bill allows New Jersey state employees without a union representative (due to lack of majority representation) to enroll in specific health care plans under the State Health Benefits Program. Starting January 1, 2025, these employees must choose between the CWA Unity DIRECT or CWA Unity DIRECT2019 plans (or their successors), based on their hire date, for their health coverage. The bill sets the state's and employee's payment obligations for these plans to match the terms of existing collective bargaining agreements that would apply if the employee had union representation. It directly affects state employees without a majority union representative, ensuring they access standardized health plan options.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Insurance Collective Bargaining Public Employees

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1498: Implements recommendations of State Comptroller report on municipal sick leave, vacation leave, and supplemental payment policies; establishes certain financial penalties.

This bill implements recommendations from a State Comptroller report to standardize municipal sick leave, vacation leave, and supplemental payment policies across New Jersey. It requires municipalities to align their policies with existing laws (P.L.2007, c.92; P.L.2010, c.3), prevents collective bargaining agreements from weakening these policies, and mandates public posting of all supplemental payment policies and individual payment approvals online or through public meetings. Municipalities must also publish supporting documentation for extra payments (beyond regular wages) in local newspapers and online, with public comment periods. Noncompliant municipalities face financial penalties, including annual withholding of property tax relief aid until policies are corrected.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 984: Makes $3 million supplemental appropriation for bonus awards for certain COVID-19 emergency essential frontline State workers of Local 195 of International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

This bill allocates $3 million from the General Fund to provide one-time bonus awards to members of Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who worked as frontline state employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by state agencies to eligible union members who provided essential emergency workplace service. The bonus amount is determined per agency through consultation between the Division of Budget and Accounting and the union president. This supplemental appropriation directly affects approximately 3,000 Local 195 members across state departments, as specified in the bill text. It does not create new policy but provides targeted financial recognition for pandemic-era service.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3538: Provides super conciliation for certain emergency responder service employees, and requires continuation of contract provisions during negotiations.

This bill (S 3538) requires New Jersey employers of emergency responders - including EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and 9-1-1 operators - to maintain all existing contract terms (like pay and benefits) during negotiations if an agreement expires. If standard mediation fails, the Public Employment Relations Commission must appoint a "super conciliator" to facilitate talks within 90 days, including potential 24-hour negotiations, and issue a public report if resolution isn’t reached. The law prevents employers from unilaterally changing working conditions without the employees’ representative agreeing. It applies to all current and future collective bargaining agreements for these workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3400: Includes minimum number of firefighting personnel for public employer as term and condition of employment for purpose of collective bargaining under certain circumstances; provides for dispute resolution procedure.

This bill (A-3400) requires public employers in New Jersey to negotiate minimum staffing levels for firefighters and fire officers as part of collective bargaining agreements. Specifically, it mandates that the "minimum number of sworn firefighters and fire officers assigned to each fire apparatus" must be included in terms and conditions of employment, provided staffing levels are rationally related to safety. The bill applies directly to fire departments and their public employers during labor negotiations. It does not set specific staffing numbers but ensures this factor is formally addressed in bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

All labor & employment bills