PERC Denies State’s Request to Restrain Arbitration Over Compensation

The Public Employment Relations Commission denies, in part, the State's request for a restraint of binding arbitration of the State Troopers Fraternal Association's grievance. Ms. Sandy filed a grievance alleging that the State violated the collective bargaining agreement with the STFA by failing to make the grievant whole in back pay and benefits following the grievant's suspension pending disciplinary charges, which were ultimately dismissed in their entirety. The Commission held that N.J.S.A. 53:1-10 and N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.10(d)(3) do not preempt arbitration of the STFA's grievance. The Commission concluded that because the issue of the grievant's discipline is resolved, arbitration over the compensation issue would not significantly interfere with Superintendent's authority over discipline of the state police.

P.E.R.C. NO. 2023-21; Docket No. SN-2022-034