Labor relations, together with matters of collective bargaining and labor negotiations at the state college/universities, falls within the jurisdiction of the governor who represents the state as public employer under the New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act. (NJSA 34:13A-1 et seq.) . The governor performs this role through the Office of Employee Relations (OER).
The principal purpose of the New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act is to foster labor peace between public employers and employees. The 1968 Act, in concert with subsequent administrative agency and judicial decisions, has established the framework of public sector collective negotiations in New Jersey. The Act provides that nonmanagerial and nonconfidential public employees, organized under a community of interest, may unite for the purpose of negotiating terms and conditions of employment with their public employer. The Act also establishes a mechanism to resolve disputes which cannot be resolved by negotiation. (See Grievance Procedures).
Under the N.J. Employer-Employee Relations Act, employees at the state colleges/universities are members of statewide bargaining units. These bargaining units are represented by the following unions:
The Council
of New Jersey State College Locals, AFT, AFL-CIO, representing state
college/university faculty, adjuncts, non-teaching professional staff,
and librarians (Rutgers is not included).
Each of these unions have collectively negotiated agreements with the State.
Source: NJ State College Trustees’ Reference Guide, 4th Ed., NJ State Governing Board Association, Inc. Trenton, NJ, 1994.