Labor & Employment (Collective Bargaining) in New Jersey

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

A 2142: Allows for sharing of family leave benefits between covered individuals under certain circumstances.

This New Jersey bill (A 2142) allows married couples, domestic partners, or civil union partners to share up to 12 weeks of family leave benefits when welcoming a newborn or adopted child. Eligible employees can divide the leave weeks between them as they choose, rather than taking it all consecutively. The total benefit amount is calculated as six times the weekly benefit of the higher-earning partner for the first six weeks, plus six times the weekly benefit of the lower-earning partner for the next six weeks. This applies to benefits paid under the state's temporary disability insurance program for family leave related to a single birth or adoption. The bill is pending before the Assembly Labor Committee.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Paid Leave

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

A 930: Permits union officials who represent probation officers to participate in all union activities.

This bill allows union officers representing probation officers, supervisors, and related Judiciary staff in New Jersey to participate in union activities - including lobbying, using union funds, and engaging in partisan political activity - while on full-time leave under state law. It specifically applies to officers serving on behalf of collective bargaining units for these judicial employees. The law overrides prior restrictions that might have prevented such participation. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2003: Requires preservation of employee benefits and contractual rights as condition of sale of Atlantic City International Airport.

This bill requires the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to preserve all employee benefits and rights as a condition if the authority sells or leases Atlantic City International Airport. It mandates that employees retain existing collective bargaining agreements, civil service status, pension credits, and accumulated benefits (like sick leave) when transferred to a new owner or operator. The bill also requires maintaining current employee representatives until workers elect new ones. These provisions apply specifically to SJTA employees working at the airport during any sale, lease, or management transfer. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1809: Makes $3 million supplemental appropriation for bonus awards for certain COVID-19 emergency essential frontline State workers of Local 195 International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

This bill provides $3 million in extra funding from the state General Fund to give one-time bonuses to specific frontline state workers. It directly affects employees represented by Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who worked essential roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by state agencies to eligible employees as a bonus award, based on consultation between the budget director and the union president. The legislation specifies that only workers who provided emergency frontline service during the pandemic qualify for these bonuses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Collective Bargaining

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2358: 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), with employees able to opt out or choose different contribution levels. It requires employers to set a default savings rate that may increase over time and provide clear notice about enrollment options. Union-represented employees require negotiated terms for enrollment details, rather than automatic enrollment without input. The bill was enacted as law (P.L.2025, c.358) after being introduced and withdrawn in 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Retirement Benefits

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2966: Establishes employee protections for certain employees of New Jersey City University in event of merger with Kean University.

This bill protects unionized faculty and staff at New Jersey City University (NJCU) if the university merges with Kean University. It prohibits job loss, reduced hours, or other adverse actions for three years after the merger, and requires Kean to offer vacant positions first to transferred NJCU employees. The bill also ensures all existing union contracts, salaries, benefits, and seniority are maintained for three years, with a two-year grace period to meet new job requirements. These provisions apply specifically to employees in recognized collective bargaining units who transfer due to the merger.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 13: Amends Constitution to give public employees the right to collective bargaining.

This bill proposes amending New Jersey's constitution to explicitly grant public employees the right to engage in collective bargaining with state and local government employers. Currently, the constitution allows public employees to form unions and submit grievances, but this amendment would require the state to negotiate with employee representatives over wages, benefits, and working conditions. The change would apply directly to all public employees, including teachers, police, and municipal workers, by making collective bargaining a guaranteed constitutional right. The amendment must be approved by voters in the next general election after legislative passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 275: Requires cost analysis in certain cases when State department contracts out work.

New Jersey's S 275 requires state departments to conduct a cost analysis before contracting out work usually performed by state employees for amounts over $100,000. This analysis must compare the cost of using private contractors versus state workers, including labor, benefits, equipment, and potential unemployment costs for displaced workers. Departments must also provide a resource analysis showing if the state can perform the work internally and file both analyses with the Office of Management and Budget for public review. The bill aims to ensure contracting only occurs if it saves significant state funds without harming public interest, while prohibiting contracts with firms whose leaders previously worked for the relevant state department. This directly affects state agencies, their employees, and union bargaining units when considering outsourcing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Procurement Collective Bargaining Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 244: Establishes three-year pilot program in DOE to support school district programs to increase length of school day or school year.

This bill establishes a three-year, $1 million-per-district grant program through New Jersey's Department of Education to help school districts extend the school day or year. It prioritizes districts with high academic need (based on test scores, graduation rates, and dropout data), selecting up to 20 districts across regional groups. Funds cover costs like staff pay increases (with union agreement), transportation, and support services for extended learning time, requiring detailed applications and annual reports on participation and attendance. The program aims to support learning recovery and academic achievement, with a final evaluation report due after the pilot ends.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2195: Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for businesses that employ apprentices in DOL registered apprenticeships.

New Jersey's S 2195 provides tax credits to businesses that hire apprentices in U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)-registered programs. Businesses can claim a $1,000 base credit per apprentice per tax period, with an additional $2,000 for veterans, displaced workers, those from underrepresented groups, or individuals previously incarcerated. To qualify, apprentices must be employed for at least seven months during the tax period, and credits cannot exceed four tax periods per apprentice. The bill prohibits using these credits to displace existing workers or undermine collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining

All labor & employment bills