Bargaining Committee Members Speak on New PNCR Tentative Agreement
Following months of bargaining surveys and negotiations, the Professional Non-Case Related Unit (PNCR) of the NJ Judiciary reached a tentative agreement that will now head to membership for ratification. Heading into the bargaining table with the hopes of winning better wages, and language on remote work and healthcare benefits, Bargaining Committee Members walked out feeling as though they could present their fellow co-workers and members with a successful TA.
“The TA offers robust increases to salaries, including for members at maximum. The TA also recognizes remote work in the contract, and we were able to negotiate language that would not impose changes to healthcare without negotiations and the Union’s agreement,” said Committee Member and CSO3 Anthony Ucelli.
This TA is the first since 2014 to raise the value of annual progression. Through 3.5% across-the-board wage increases and the establishment of a new Maximum 3, this TA provides wage increases and new growth for those early in their careers and those who had already reached their maximum salary. It also presents a new stipend opportunity for those who use their bilingual skills in the workplace, with a total of an additional $2,000 over the life of the contract for BICAT certified bilingual titles. Committee Member and ITA2 Steve Gaissert believes the new stipend will “help staff fight off efforts by the judiciary to improperly use unofficial bilingual staff for official use” and “lead the judiciary to do the right thing: hire bilingual staff to perform bilingual duties as needs develop.”
On the issue of remote work, CWA 1036 was able to win language in the TA that recognizes the currently operating telework program, a major success for a sticking point with members that Committee Member and AS3 Susan Perry-Slay said could make or break retention in the PNCR unit, “Many have said that if remote work ceases, they will either retire or seek employment elsewhere.” The TA also stipulates that employee participation will not be unreasonably denied, denials are grievable, and a denial or reduction across a unit or Division must be reconsidered every 30 days. Additionally, a labor-management committee will continue dialogue and monitoring of the remote work program throughout the life of the contract.
Committee Members were aided in negotiations by CWA Local 1036 President Adam Liebtag, 1036 Lead Staff Representative Brian Dilks-Brotman, and David Beckett, legal counsel to Local 1036. For Anastasia Jackson, a first-time Committee Member and AS4, the negotiations team truly embodied solidarity, “When the Judiciary provided a response whether positive or not, our team always provided several scenarios for us to consider when aiding to structure the contract. As a steward representing the membership, I truly felt heard, which was very important to me.” She went on to say that she “gained a whole new appreciation for the hard work our Union does for us as employees and I’m much more grateful to have CWA Local 1036 in my corner.”
Another characteristic of this TA’s success is its negotiation and potential ratification prior to the current contract’s expiration in July 2024. This early victory is due in part to the nature of negotiations which Committee Member and AS3 Kevin Kristian described as “conscientious and respectful.” Anthony Ucelli further described overcoming obstacles during negotiations. “There were certainly times things got contentious, but each side would side-bar and have informal discussions where we could flesh out the issues a bit more and come to a reasonable compromise.” By sticking to our most important principles, and bargaining strongly, CWA PNCR members are winning major gains in each of those areas.
Voting for ratification begins at 10AM on Tuesday, April 9th and ends at 3PM on Friday, April 19th. Results will be posted on our website on Friday, April 19th