Bill Text: NJ SCR54 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends Constitution to give public employees the right to collective bargaining.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-08 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor Committee [SCR54 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2016-SCR54-Introduced.html

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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 54

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

217th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 8, 2016

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  SHIRLEY K. TURNER

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Amends Constitution to give public employees the right to collective bargaining.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article I, paragraph 19 of the New Jersey Constitution.

 

     Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

 

     1.    The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is agreed to:

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

 

     Amend Article I, paragraph 19 of the Constitution to read as follows:

     19.  Persons in private employment shall have the right to organize and bargain collectively.  Persons in public employment shall have the right to organize, present to and make known to the State, or any of its political subdivisions or agencies, their grievances and proposals, and engage in collective bargaining, through representatives of their own choosing.

(cf: Article I, paragraph 19)

 

     2.    When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior to the general election.

 

     3.    This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:

     There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:

     a.     In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question as follows:

     If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (a) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (a) in the square opposite the word "No."

     b.    In every municipality the following question:

 

		CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROVIDING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES THE RIGHT OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
	YES	Do you approve an amendment to the Constitution to give public employees the right to engage in collective bargaining?
		INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
	NO	This amendment would give public employees the right to engage in collective bargaining. The Constitution now gives public employees the right to form a union and submit grievances and proposals, but does not make collective bargaining a stated right.      The amendment would have the effect of requiring collective negotiation with the representatives of the employees

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This constitutional amendment provides that public employees have the specific right to engage in collective bargaining.