Legislator Proposes Extra Pay for NJ Transit Workers During A State of Emergency

Legislator Proposes Extra Pay for NJ Transit Workers During A State of Emergency

Hold onto your wallets, New Jerseyans.

Assemblyman Daniel Benson just filed legislation that calls for NJ Transit workers to receive 1 1/2 times their usual pay rate (a.k.a. 150%, or “time and a half”) for all work performed each time the Governor declares a State of Emergency.

No, not just during a pandemic, but for every State of Emergency declaration, including snowstorms and hurricanes–events that have been happening with increased frequency over the past few years.

If his new bill, A4872, becomes law, New Jersey Transit would be required to pay all support staff and subcontractors one-and-a-half times their regular rate for every hour of work done during a state of emergency, including paratransit drivers and attendants. The bill defines “support staff” as including (but not limited to) “mechanics, technical support staff, and any employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement.”

I cannot wait to see the Fiscal Impact estimates on this one. Keep in mind, we’ve been under a State of Emergency in NJ since March 9th–seven and half months–which Governor Murphy keeps extending every 30 days.

If signed into law, the bill would take effect immediately. There’s no Senate version yet, but if I were a betting woman, I’d put my money on Senator Troy Singleton filing a companion bill. Stay tuned–this is definitely one to watch.

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