Summary
Police and non-police bargaining units are treated differently in New Jersey, and the difference in treatment is reflected in statutes, case law, and Public Employment Relations Commission decisions. While the Commission is consistently more favorable to police unions, its decisions are often inconsistent, unpredictable, and made in spite of conflicting precedent.
· Commission Membership. The composition of the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission is disproportionately representative of unions.
· Poor Quality Decisions. The Commission’s decisions are often inconsistent, unpredictable, and made in spite of conflicting precedent.
· Impasse Procedures Favor Police Units. Police units must submit their negotiating impasses to binding interest arbitration, a requirement absent for non-police units.
· Disciplinary Decisions More Likely Subject to Bargaining for Police. The Commission is more likely to require bargaining of discipline, investigation, and oversight.
· Work Assignment More Likely Subject to Bargaining for Police. The Commission is more likely to require bargaining reassignments, duty changes, and subcontracting.
Recommended Citation
Ford, Elizabeth, "New Jersey" (2025). Uncommon Law. 18.
https://digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/uncommonlaw/18
