CONAWAY/CONNERS BILL PACKAGE TO PROTECT WORKERS IN PLANT CLOSING CLEARS ASSEMBLY PANELS

CONAWAY/CONNERS BILL PACKAGE TO PROTECT WORKERS IN PLANT CLOSING CLEARS ASSEMBLY PANEL

Lawmakers Introduce Three-Bill Package Spurred by Abrupt Closing
Of Burlington County Trucking Company

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Labor Committee today released a three-bill package sponsored by Assemblymen Jack Conners and Herb Conaway, MD to further protect workers affected by abrupt plant closings, mass layoffs or the transfer of operations.

The legislative effort stems from the sudden May 19 shutdown of the Delanco-based Jevic Transportation Company, which left approximately 1,700 workers jobless. Questions have been raised as to whether the closing was in violation of state and federal laws that require companies to provide at least 60-days notice of an impending shutdown.
Conners and Conaway both were co-sponsors of that state law.

"Workers' rights are violated every time a plant closes without little or no warning and leaves families in the lurch without jobs, income, or basic benefits," said Conners (D-Camden/Burlington).  "New Jersey law is supposed to give employees ample notice of an impending closure. Now, we need to go back and give it real teeth to ensure that working-class residents caught in the crosshairs of a closure have the ability to get right back on their feet."

"Working-class, blue-collar New Jerseyans are the foundation of our economy," said Conaway (D-Burlington/Camden).  "We have a responsibility to ensure that workers such as those affected by Jevic's sudden shutdown do not fall into financial ruin while trying to transition to a new job or a new career."

The first Conners/Conaway measure (A-2934) would allow workers affected by an employer's violation of plant closing notification laws to request a 180-day suspension of their mortgage loan payments. The lawmakers said the bill would afford families affected by a sudden loss of employment some immediate financial relief.

A second measure (A-2935) would strengthen enforcement of the plant closings law by empowering the government to seek an immediate court injunction for violations of law.  Under the current law, enforcement is dependent upon an aggrieved worker having their lawyer seek redress through the courts.  The bill would request that the court consider these injunctions on an expedited basis. 

The final bill (A-2936) would allow individuals affected by a plant closing or mass layoff to improve their access to job training through participation in the "tuition waiver program" at public and county colleges across the state.

"The way Jevic treated its long-time and dedicated workforce was unconscionable and in violation of the spirit of good corporate citizenship," said Conaway. "The knee-jerk decision to lock the doors left thousands of families with no time prepare for their futures.  We must ensure that workers caught-up in this nightmare have the ability to provide for their families while they look at new opportunities."

"Jevic's workers - and others who may find themselves in the same boat - should be given every opportunity to get the training they will need to compete in the tight job market," said Conners.  "We must provide displaced workers with access to the financial relief and job-training programs they need to ensure that when one door closes, another door opens."

The measures were released 5-2, 7- 2, and 9-0, respectively.  They now head to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post them for a floor vote.

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