Assembly passes bills to reform higher education jobs, help union workers in Atlantic City, and aid injured employees in workers compensation
The New Jersey State Assembly on Thursday, May 20, gave approval to three pro-labor bills. The New Jersey State AFL-CIO thanks Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin for his leadership in posting the bills, thanks the bills’ sponsors, and thanks the Assembly members who voted in favor of them.
A-4680, sponsored by Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli, D-3rd District, would place restrictions on the ability of higher education institutions to subcontract – and therefore eliminate good-paying union jobs. The bill was supported by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and AFSCME, AFT, AAUP, HPAE and others, and it passed by a 67-8 vote. This bill now goes to Gov. Phil Murphy for his consideration, and we respectfully ask for his support.
A-5590, sponsored by Assemblymen Vincent Mazzeo and John Armato, both D-2nd District, amends the Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act of 2016 to restore civil service protections and collective bargaining provisions to municipal employees in towns covered by the Act. Currently, only Atlantic City is affected. The bill was supported by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, AFSCME Local 1210, FMBA Local 198, IBEW Local 351, PBA Local 27 and Teamsters Local 331, and passed by a 73-3 vote.
A-2617, sponsored by Assembly members Carol A. Murphy, D-7th District, and Daniel R. Benson, D-14th District, requires employers to give hiring preference for an open position to a worker who was injured on the job, has reached maximum medical improvement, but can no longer do their former job. The bill passed 75-0.