Some notable union figures testified June 22 at the New Jersey Assembly Budget Committee meeting in support of A5862 (the Responsible Collective Negotiations Act, also known as the “Janus 2” bill), among them Patrick Nowlan, Rutgers AAUP-AFT’s executive director.
“Expanding the scope of bargaining actually allows us to be more creative in what we’re doing and increases collaboration,” Nowlan said to the committee. “And as long as both sides bargain in good faith, it doesn’t require anybody to say yes to the other party on any issue … This is the time to pass this bill. New Jersey is a pro-worker, pro-labor state, and we call on you the legislators to pass this bill out of committee today, pass it on Thursday in General Assembly and send it to Gov. Murphy to sign.”
The committee passed A5862 by a 9-4 vote.
Afterward, Nowlan said, “I was surprised and disappointed that Rutgers sent an attorney and a finance person to attack our unions today in front of the legislature. I would have expected that from the [Robert] Barchi administration, but President [Jonathan] Holloway likes to say we have to find common ground and recognize that we often share the same goals. That’s not what we heard today, and that’s very unfortunate.”
He added, “I encourage President Holloway to review his team’s testimony today and take corrective action as it relates to our 20,000 union members at Rutgers. We do want to work together, but partnership is a result of trust and respect and requires a level playing field. That’s why New Jersey needs the Responsible Collective Negotiations Act.”