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One to Keep An Eye On: The Workplace Democracy Enhancement Act (New Jersey)


As with many employment and labor law related bills (and cases) being litigated around the country, there are always a few that stand out.

This is one to keep an eye on.


Yesterday, Democrats in New Jersey advanced a bill, NJ A3686 (18R) (also known as The Workplace Democracy Enhancement Act), out of the the Assembly Labor Committee by a 6 - 3 vote along party lines.  The bill, among other things, would require public employers to provide unions with greater access to the employees they represent.  The bill provides that unions would be allowed to meet with employees on the work premises (such as during lunch and other breaks) to discuss workplace issues, collective negotiations, and investigate and discuss grievances.  

As well, unions would be able to meet with newly hired employees (without a charge to the pay or leave time of these employees) for a minimum of 30 minutes, within 30 days from the date of hire, during new employee orientations (or if the employer does not have new employee orientations, at individual or group meetings).

Proponents of the bill have argued it would strengthen communication between unions and their members and the bill's sponsor, Craig Coughlin (a Democrat from Middlesex, New Jersey), noted it would ultimately create "a more trusting and productive work environment."  On the other hand, opponents have argued that this bill would result in taxpayer funded time out of the workday for employees.  Some have gone so far as to argue that this bill would place an undue burden on employers in the state to accommodate unions and their members and ultimately could lead to a disruptive process in the workplace.

This bill still has a ways to go before becoming law.  However, if Democrats in the state can rally around the bill and continue moving it along, The Workplace Democracy Enhancement Act could become a reality sooner rather than later.


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