Bill > A5928

Introduced Session

This bill establishes employee protections for the faculty and staff of New Jersey City University in the event of a merger with Kean University. This bill provides that, as a condition of a merger between New Jersey City University and Kean University, no faculty member or professional staff member who is a member of a recognized collective bargaining unit at New Jersey City University is to be subject to termination, layoff, nonrenewal, involuntary reassignment, reduction in hours, or any other form of separation, diminution of employment status, or adverse action as a result of the merger for a period of three years from the date of the merger. The bill further provides that, during the three-year period following the merger, any position vacancy resulting from retirement, resignation, voluntary departure, or any other form of voluntary separation of an employee who transferred from New Jersey City University to Kean University due to the merger is to first be offered internally to other qualified employees who transferred from New Jersey City University to Kean University due to the merger before the position is advertised externally. Under the bill, each faculty and professional staff member who transferred from New Jersey City University to Kean University due to the merger is to be afforded two years to meet any new requirements for a position that is created or amended as a result of any restructuring of New Jersey City University programs during the three years following the start of the merger. The bill provides that all existing collective bargaining agreements and any other negotiated terms and conditions of employment applicable to faculty and professional staff members of a recognized collective bargaining unit at New Jersey City University are to remain in full force and effect at Kean University for a three-year period beginning on the date of the merger. Under the bill, Kean University is to honor all salary schedules, benefits, workloads, tenure and promotion pathways, grievance procedures, job security provisions, employment contracts, and any other provisions within the New Jersey City University bargaining agreements with a recognized collective bargaining unit during the three-year period beginning on the date of the merger. The bill prohibits the board of trustees of Kean University and its administrators from adopting any policies, making administrative changes, or taking any actions that undermine or negatively affect the terms or conditions of these collective bargaining agreements without the express written consent of the recognized collective bargaining unit. The bill provides that a recognized collective bargaining unit of New Jersey City University retains the right to enforce all terms of this agreement through legal means. The bill provides that any violation of the bill's provisions are to provide a recognized collective bargaining unit the right to seek immediate injunctive relief and binding arbitration to remedy any adverse employment action. The bill also provides that any disputes related to the enforcement of this act are to be expedited, and the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) is to prioritize the resolution of the dispute to ensure the rights of employees are protected in a timely manner. Under the bill, all collective bargaining units and their respective majority representatives in existence in New Jersey City University prior to the merger with Kean University are to be maintained without change, unless they are otherwise altered through an appropriate petition to the PERC for a change in representation or bargaining units. Any transfer of faculty or professional staff members from New Jersey City University to Kean University due to the merger is to ensure the transfer of seniority and accrued benefits. The bill directs Kean University to implement a clear, transparent, and proactive communication plan for all employees affected by the merger.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

William Sampson (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee (on 07/24/2025)

Official Document