TRENTON — The state Senate approved a bill to limit police and firefighter pay raises by 2 percent if they can't reach an agreement during contract negotiations. The bill (S5) is the product of a compromise between Democratic leaders and Gov. Chris Christie and the largest piece of his proposed "tool kit." The legislation is intended to help municipalities...
TRENTON — The state Senate approved a bill to limit police and firefighter pay raises by 2 percent if they can't reach an agreement during contract negotiations.
The bill (S5) is the product of a compromise between Democratic leaders and Gov. Chris Christie and the largest piece of his proposed "tool kit." The legislation is intended to help municipalities deal with the impending 2 percent property tax cap.
The Legislation passed the Senate unanimously and without any debate.
The Senate also passed legislation addressing a second piece of Christie's "tool kit" proposals that would change civil service, the system used to control the hiring, promotions and firing of public employees.
The civil service legislation varied from the proposal that Christie initially laid out and is expected to be the subject of further negotiations. The civil service bill (S2391) passed 25-15.
When police and firefighter reach an impasse in contract negotiations with municipal governments, a third-party negotiator is selected to try to get the two to agree to a settlement and, if that’s impossible, to make a determination on what it should be. Under the bill, the arbitrator would have to limit their pay increases to 2 percent over the life of their contract.
Pension and health care costs, which were exempted from the 2 percent property tax limit Christie signed over the summer, will also be exempted under the bill. Arbitrators would be selected randomly and would have 45 days – down from 120 – to make a ruling. They would be financially penalized if they exceeded that time.
The bill would expire a little over three years after its January enactment date.
By Ginger Gibson and Matt Friedman/Statehouse Bureau
Previous coverage:
• N.J. Assembly approves arbitration reform bill with 2 percent pay cap for police, firefighters
• N.J. lawmakers to vote on Gov. Christie's tool kit bills
• Gov. Christie, N.J. Democrats reach 'tool kit' deal on union arbitration reform
• N.J. Gov. Christie announces arbitration reform deal as part of tool kit
• N.J. Sen. President Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Oliver reach compromise in arbitration reform
• N.J. Democrats to offer compromise on Christie's proposed arbitration reform