By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
On the heels of taking steps to address concerns about lowered state aid and higher property taxes, the Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution at its May 27 meeting to oppose new state legislation that would increase the public employee negotiation options, which committee members said could possibly cause another hike in taxes.
”This is yet another mandate and is outrageous,” Mayor Anthony Ferrera said at the meeting. “This bill would increase taxes on property taxpayers.”
The League of Municipalities has requested that all towns pass resolutions opposing the new bill, S-1137, which would allow the opportunity for public employees to bargain about previously non-negotiable issues, including work hours, promotions, transfers and the need to hire private contractors for services.
Mayor Ferrera said that if this bill were to be approved, the cost of additional negotiations would fall on the residents, raising their taxes. In addition, he said, if municipalities were required to negotiate with public employees before being allowed to hire private contractors, the efficiency of the government would suffer while the additional steps are being taken.
According to the proposed bill, if enacted, public employees would have the opportunity to negotiate those conditions not exempt by state statute. These conditions are determined by their impact on compensation and benefits, and include work load, hours, employee evaluations, transfers, reassignments, grievances, job safety, job security and outsourcing.
”This bill would increase time needed and create additional costs,” Deputy Mayor Frank DelCore said. “This is clearly a situation where we are in support of what the League of Municipalities is opposing. We should oppose this bill.”
The resolution approved by the committee also emphasizes that these changes in negotiations are being proposed at a time when the state is currently planning to severely reduce aid. If the state budget passes as introduced, Hillsborough stands to lose about $400,000 in state aid.
”We want to let the state know what a bad idea it is,” Mayor Ferrera said.
The bill was initially introduced in the New Jersey State Legislature Feb. 14, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May. It has since been referred to the Senate Labor Committee, and Sen. Van Drew could not be reached for comment.
