Non-Teaching School Staff Get Important Job Protections In NJ – Montclair, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Employees such as bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria workers may not stand in front of a classroom. But they’re just as important to running a school as teachers, and they deserve the same protections when accused of disciplinary violations, a pair of lawmakers from Essex County say.

Last week – after years of advocacy from education groups and workers – Gov. Phil Murphy signed S-993/A-631 into law.

Under the legislation, an “educational support professional” can now request binding arbitration if they disagree with a school’s decision to fire or reprimand them for an alleged disciplinary action. During arbitration, it will be the employer’s responsibility to “provide proof of the necessity of their action.”

The act takes effect immediately. Read the bill’s full text.

“Our educational support professionals are a critical part of our school communities,” Murphy said. “I’m proud to have signed a bipartisan piece of legislation that recognizes the value of collective bargaining and provides them with important protections, especially during these uncertain times.”

According to the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), the law will help protect the jobs of tens of thousands of school workers in the state.

“This new law provides well-deserved dignity, respect and protection by providing due process protection to every school employee who did not already have it,” NJEA President Marie Blistan said.

“This law means that [educational support professionals] can perform their jobs without the threat of being let go or fired for unjust reasons,” Spiller said. “Consistency in these positions means students will have more harmony in their school buildings.”

Democratic State Assembly members Mila Jasey (District 27) and Ralph Caputo (District 28), offered high praise for the new law, which they sponsored along with Assemblyman Ronald Dancer (District 12), a Republican.

Jasey and Caputo issued a joint statement about the bill after Murphy signed it into law on Thursday:

“School employees who do not directly teach students are also essential to our public education system. Bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers and many other staff members make critical contributions to school functionality and help provide our children with a well-rounded educational experience. Yet despite their essential roles, they have not received the same protections as teachers. That’s why this bill will offer them the option of a neutral, third-party arbitrator to help determine whether any disciplinary action taken against them is fair and necessary. This is an equitable way to ensure employment protections.”

Jasey represents Caldwell, Chatham Township, East Hanover, Essex Fells, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Livingston, Madison, Maplewood, Millburn, Roseland, South Orange and West Orange.

Caputo represents Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Newark and Nutley.

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