Here are some of the priority bills that AFSCME Council 73 is following closely. Provided are the relevant bill numbers, sponsors, brief description, and AFSCME Council 73’s position on the legislation.

 

 

                                           ***TOOL KIT ALERT***

On Monday December 6th, bills were introduced in the Senate and Assembly that address some of the tool kit proposals put forth by Governor Christie. Senate President Sweeney is the sponsor of S-2391 and Assemblywoman Stender has introduced an identical bill in the General Assembly, A-3590. The bills are an improvement over the Governor’s ideas but still negatively impact current civil service rights and raise serious concerns for public employees. Initial hearings on these two bills are scheduled for 12-9-2010. AFSCME Council 73 will be aggressively fighting to maintain Civil Service protections and bargaining rights as this legislation moves forward.

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A-557 (Handlin)

Increases disciplinary penalties for sick leave violations.  (OPPOSE)

 

A-662/S-1255 (Greenstein/Madden/Van Drew)

Non-Imposition: prevents public employers from unilaterally imposing a contract.   (SUPPORT)

 

A-664/S-2503  (Greenstein/Scalera)

Guarantees Health benefits for eligible employees after 25 years of service.  (SUPPORT)`

 

A-672/S-1117  (Greenstein/Spencer/Van Drew)

Scope of Bargaining: Increases and expands the issues that public employee union can negotiate.  (SUPPORT)

 

A-1612, A-1613, A-1805 (O’Scalan/Casagrande)

The bills attack public employee benefits related to sick leave upon retirement (reduce to $10,000), accumulation of sick leave (must use within one year), and reduces state holidays from 13 to 10.  (OPPOSE)

 

A-2037  (Moriarity)

Cancels administrative leave and reduces sick leave carryover to one year.  (OPPOSE)

 

A-2048/S-318  (DeAngelo/Codey/Sweeney)

Prohibits the use of public funds to block union activities.  (SUPPORT)

 

S-2206 (Sweeney)

Allows public employers to unilaterally establish furlough days. (OPPOSE)

 

A-2250 (DeAngelo)

Expands PERC’s authority to hear Unfair Labor Practices.  (SUPPORT)

 

S-1730/A-2478 (Norcross/ O’Toole, Moriarity/Riley/Burzichelli))

Residency Requirement: All new state employees must live in NJ and current employees must relocate to NJ in 2 ½ years.  (OPPOSE)

 

S-2083 (Allen)

Prohibits sub-contracting during the term of a contract. (SUPPORT)

 

S-2202/A-3153 (Oroho/)’Scanlon)

Caps State spending increases at 2%.  (OPPOSE)

 

S-2220/A-3211  (Sarlo/Cassagrande)

Caps sick leave payouts to $15,000 and vacation carryover to one-year for local government employees. PASSED BOTH HOUSES

 

A-3407 (Huttle)

Establishes standards applicable to privatization initiatives.  (SUPPORT)

 

A-3483/S-2414  (DeAngelo/Weinberg)

Upholds MOA on Lincoln’s Birthday and day after Thanksgiving.  (SUPPORT)

 

S-2400 (Beck)

Increases employee contribution to health benefits from 1.5% to 3.0% (OPPOSE)

 

ACR 156/SCR 136

 

  Governor Christie’s so-called “Toolkit” is designed to reduce public employee benefits, reduce public sector bargaining rights, and weaken civil service. AFSCME Council 73 has been actively lobbying against the “toolkit”. Below is a list of the proposals that have been introduced as bills in the State Legislature that could directly impact our membership.

 

S-2011/A2956 (Oroho/Ciusano/McHose)

Eliminates seniority in certain RIF situations and expands the authority of the Chair of the Civil Service Commission.

 

S-2024/A-2953 (Kyrillos/Casagrande)

Expands the use of layoff plans under shared services agreements.

 

S-2039/A-2954 (Bateman/Bucco)

Allows opt out of civil service and changes rules regarding temporary layoffs and seasonal appointments.

 

S-2043/A-2960 (Kyrillos/DiMaio/Handlin)

Reinstates right of school boards to impose contracts.

 

S-2171/A-3075 (Doherty/Chiusano) 

Implements “toolkit” recommendations regarding arbitration.

 

S-2173/A-2952  (Kyrillos/Casagrande/Munoz)

Limits sick and vacation leave carryover in local government

 

S-2174/A-2951 (Doherty/DiCicco/Munoz)             

Bans participation in PERS for union officers on leave.

 

S-2135/A-2955 (Cardinale/Bucco/Chiusano)

Increases major discipline appeals from 5 to 30 day suspensions

 

S-2154/A-2957 (Oroho/Chiusano)

Increases duties of Civil Service Chairperson.

 

A-2981 (Malone)    Increases Civil Service test fee from $15 to $25.