Brick, NJ – At a hearing held yesterday, the Public Employment Relations Commission rejected the TWU’s request for a restraint on impending layoffs concluding that the union did not substantiate its claim of unfair labor practices on the part of the Township administration.

“We have reached a point where layoffs were the only option to balance our budget as required by law,” said Mayor Stephen Acropolis.  “We did not want to do them.  However, when it became apparent that layoffs were necessary, we worked to make sure they were done correctly and according to law.  The result of today’s hearing is evidence of that.”

The TWU filed a request to halt the layoff plan on the basis that the layoffs are in retaliation of the unit’s overwhelming rejection of a proposed contract that would have required nominal payments towards healthcare and other concessions among other arguments.

The administration has consistently said that the new 4% tax levy cap imposed by the state combined with declining revenue and state aid has necessitated the layoffs.  This year, the State aid to the Township was reduced by approximately $700,000.  In the past, municipalities could balance budgets through taxation.  However, the new tax levy cap has taken that ability away.

In their ruling, PERC stated that they could not find a substantial likelihood that the union would succeed on their unfair practice charge and therefore denied the application to restrain layoffs.

“While I am satisfied that PERC accepted our arguments, we do not feel good,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “There are no winners here.  The harsh reality is that people are going to lose their jobs and families are going to be affected.”

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