Labor & Employment (Collective Bargaining) in New Jersey

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

A 3286: Requires employers to provide paid leave to employees to vote in certain circumstances.

This bill would require most private employers in New Jersey to provide two hours of paid leave annually to employees for voting in general elections. Employees must give two business days' notice, and employers must display written notices about this right 10 days before elections. It excludes construction workers under union contracts, per diem healthcare employees, and public employees already receiving paid voting leave or holidays. Employers must pay for this leave at the employee’s regular rate (minimum wage if lower), with violations treated as wage law violations under New Jersey’s wage and hour law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards Paid Leave

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

A 3827: Establishes additional manner of employer compliance to provide earned sick leave for certain employees subject to collective bargaining agreements.

This bill amends New Jersey's earned sick leave law to provide a compliance option for employers covered by collective bargaining agreements. Specifically, it allows such employers to meet the law's requirements by offering employees 40 or more hours of any paid time off (including vacation, personal, or sick days) per benefit year, rather than requiring separate sick leave accrual. This provision applies retroactively to the effective date of the original 2018 earned sick leave law (P.L.2018, c.10). It directly affects unionized workplaces by simplifying compliance through existing paid time off policies. The change does not alter the 40-hour annual limit or eligibility rules for employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards Paid Leave

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

A 1379: Prohibits certain non-disclosure and non-disparagement provisions in employment contracts.

This bill prohibits employment contracts from including non-disclosure or non-disparagement clauses that waive rights related to discrimination, retaliation, or harassment claims. It requires settlement agreements resolving such claims to include a clear notice stating these clauses are unenforceable if the employee publicly discloses details identifying the employer. The bill removes an exception allowing collective bargaining agreements to contain these clauses but permits mediation or arbitration for discrimination claims in such agreements. The law applies to all employment contracts and settlement agreements entered into on or after the effective date.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Employment Discrimination

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4484: Establishes Statewide Skills Academy Network; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes the Statewide Skills Academy Network to improve coordination among New Jersey's county colleges, vocational schools, and union training providers. It appropriates $1 million to fund regional skills academies that develop short-term, high-demand training programs, with priority for evening and weekend classes. The network will identify workforce skills gaps, share best practices, and support the creation of accessible training sites for facilities, curriculum, equipment, and staffing. This directly affects community colleges, vocational institutions, and union training programs across the state, aiming to better align training with employer needs and improve job placement outcomes.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining Workforce Development

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

A 1047: Requires notification to collective bargaining unit of law enforcement officer prior to release of certain information to public.

This bill (A 1047) requires New Jersey’s Attorney General, the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, or their designee to notify a law enforcement officer’s union (collective bargaining unit) before releasing specific information to the public following incidents involving a death during police encounters or custody. It applies to officer identities, body camera recordings, incident reports, and other investigation details. The notification must occur prior to any public disclosure mandated under current law, superseding prior directives about such releases. The bill does not change disclosure rules but adds a procedural step for union notification. (Amends P.L.2019, c.1, §2)

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Collective Bargaining

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

All labor & employment bills