Labor & Employment (Collective Bargaining) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 26, 2026

S 4529: Excludes certain properties from definition of public work and payment of prevailing wage under certain conditions.

This bill amends New Jersey's prevailing wage laws to exclude specific types of construction and maintenance work from requiring union-scale wages. It clarifies that work on properties owned or leased by public bodies does not count as "public work" if the site is in a distressed area, temporarily closed to the public for events, limited to short-term installations under 21 days, or involves no permanent structural changes. Additionally, the legislation defines "maintenance work" to include repairs exceeding $50,000 that require bidding and exceed the capabilities of in-house staff. These changes directly affect contractors and public agencies by narrowing the scope of projects where workers must be paid prevailing wage rates.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4285: Concerns discrimination based on membership in a labor organization.

This bill amends New Jersey's anti-discrimination law to explicitly include labor organizations as protected categories, ensuring that individuals cannot face discrimination based on their membership in such groups. By updating the legal definition of "labor organization," the legislation clarifies that this protection covers unions and other employee representation committees formed for collective bargaining or addressing employment conditions. The changes directly affect employers, hiring entities, and employment agencies by prohibiting them from treating job applicants or employees differently because of their union status. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "employer" to ensure these protections apply broadly across private and public sectors.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Employment Discrimination

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4179: Removes exclusion of certain institutions of higher education under "Responsible Collective Negotiations Act."

This bill removes the exclusion of certain New Jersey institutions of higher education from the "Responsible Collective Negotiations Act," thereby bringing them under the same collective bargaining rules as other public employers. Specifically, it affects State colleges and universities, Rutgers, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and county colleges by extending the act's provisions to them. Under the new rules, these institutions would be subject to requirements regarding permissive negotiation subjects, confidentiality of communications between union representatives and employees, and the periodic sharing of contact information for non-represented workers. The legislation aims to align the treatment of higher education entities with that of other public employers in the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 11, 2026

A 5035: Prohibits use of prevailing wage fringe benefit portion of prevailing wage rate to fund certain bonus programs.

This bill prohibits employers from using the fringe benefit portion of the prevailing wage rate to fund bonus, incentive, or retention programs for employees. It also prevents employers from automatically enrolling workers in specific pension or retirement plans designed to meet prevailing wage requirements without first obtaining written consent. Employees who opt out of such retirement programs will still receive their required fringe benefits through other allowable methods. The law does not apply to workers employed by companies that have collective bargaining agreements used to determine prevailing wage rates.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 5017: Removes exclusion of certain institutions of higher education under "Responsible Collective Negotiations Act."

This bill amends the Responsible Collective Negotiations Act to include certain New Jersey institutions of higher education, such as Rutgers, Kean, Montclair State, Rowan, and NJIT, in the law's coverage. Previously, these colleges were excluded from specific rules that apply to other public employers, meaning their labor negotiations and employee data sharing were handled differently. The change removes this exclusion, bringing these universities in line with requirements regarding negotiation subjects, confidentiality of union communications, and the periodic sharing of employee contact information. Ultimately, the legislation ensures that state colleges and universities follow the same collective bargaining standards as other public agencies in the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4683: Establishes "New Jersey Union-Led Semiconductor Innovation and Security Program."

This bill creates the New Jersey Union-Led Semiconductor Innovation and Security Program, which is designed to support semiconductor manufacturing and workforce development in the state. The program will be managed by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority in collaboration with state agencies, universities, and labor unions. Key provisions include funding apprenticeship opportunities that prioritize veterans, women, and underserved communities, providing financial assistance for research and production initiatives, and requiring recipients to follow prevailing wage rules and use apprenticeship programs. The bill also mandates that applicants disclose any foreign funding sources to ensure transparency.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining Workforce Development

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

A 4639: Prohibits training repayment agreements.

This bill prohibits employers in New Jersey from requiring employees or job applicants to sign training repayment agreements as a condition of employment. Under the law, any such agreement is automatically invalid, and employees cannot be forced to make payments if they leave their job. The bill defines these agreements as contracts that charge workers money if they depart, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, but excludes cash advances, equipment payments, sabbatical contracts, and agreements negotiated through collective bargaining. Violations of this rule are treated as failures to comply with existing employment laws, allowing employees to pursue penalties or legal action against employers who enforce these prohibited agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 4008: Requires certain school districts to partner with union apprenticeship programs for development of career exploration program.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts with high schools to partner with local labor union apprenticeship programs to create career exploration programs for 11th and 12th grade students. The partnerships must develop informational materials and a minimum 25-hour program that includes orientation sessions on career pathways and practical trade skills training. Each district must ensure at least 2% of its graduating class completes the program and submit annual reports to the state education commissioner. Funding for implementation may come from state aid, grants, workforce development funds, or private sponsorships, with the education commissioner requesting necessary budget allocations annually.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

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

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 4744: Permits payment of unused sick leave earned by certain local government officers and employees under certain circumstances.

This bill allows certain local government officers and employees in New Jersey to receive cash payments for unused sick leave under specific conditions. It applies to political subdivisions and agencies that have adopted Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes, but excludes local school boards. Key provisions limit payments to a maximum of three weeks of unused sick leave per year, ensure employees retain at least 100 working days of sick leave annually, and cap the payment rate at 60 percent of their daily pay. Local governments must decide whether to offer these payments at their discretion, without requiring collective bargaining agreement approval, and cannot use emergency funds to cover the costs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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

A 4567: Requires certain school districts to partner with union apprenticeship programs for development of career exploration program.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts with high schools to partner with local union apprenticeship programs to create career exploration programs for students in grades 11 and 12. The partnerships must develop informational materials about available career pathways and a structured program with at least 25 hours of instruction, including orientation sessions and hands-on trade skill training. School districts must ensure that at least two percent of their graduating 12th-grade class completes the program and submit annual compliance reports to the Commissioner of Education. Funding for implementation may come from state aid, grants, workforce development funds, or private sponsorships, with the Commissioner of Education requesting necessary budget allocations annually.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

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

All labor & employment bills