N.J. Admin. Code § 19:11-2.6

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 19:11-2.6 - Investigation of petition; disposition

(a) If no agreement for consent election has been reached pursuant to N.J.A.C. 19:11-4.1, the Director of Representation shall conduct a further investigation. The petitioner, the public employer, and any intervenor(s) shall present documentary and other evidence, as well as statements of position, relating to the matters and allegations set forth in the petition. Such submissions shall be simultaneously served upon the parties.

(b) Where the petitioner is seeking to be certified as the majority representative of an appropriate unit on the basis of authorization cards and no other employee organization is seeking to be the majority representative, the Director of Representation shall determine whether a majority of employees in the unit have signed valid authorization cards. Absent the submission of substantial, reliable evidence that raises a legitimate and substantial doubt, executed authorization cards are presumed valid.

(c) Information disclosed to a staff member in confidence regarding any representation matter shall not be divulged. All files, records, reports, documents or other papers received or prepared by a staff member for purposes of settlement shall be classified as confidential. The staff member shall not produce any confidential records of, or testify in regard to, any settlement discussions conducted by him or her, on behalf of any party in any type of proceeding.

(d) After the investigation of such petition, the Director of Representation shall either:

1. Request the petitioner to withdraw the petition, or in the absence of withdrawal, dismiss the petition, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 19:11-2.3;

2. Issue a decision dismissing the petition, if it appears to the Director of Representation that there is not reasonable cause to believe that a valid question concerning representation exists in an appropriate unit;

3. Issue a decision directing an election in an appropriate unit, if it appears to the Director of Representation that there is reasonable cause to believe that a valid question concerning representation exists in an appropriate unit and that an election reflecting the free choice of the employees in the appropriate unit will effectuate the policies of the Act (N.J.S.A. 34:13A-1.1 et seq.);

4. Issue a decision clarifying a unit;

5. Issue a decision amending a certification;

6. Certify the petitioner as the majority representative based on its submission of valid authorization cards signed by a majority of the employees in the appropriate unit; or

7. Take other measures the Director of Representation deems appropriate.

(e) Action by the Director of Representation pursuant to (d) above shall be based on an administrative investigation or a hearing conducted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 19:11-6.1 (Hearings).

(f) A hearing shall be conducted:

1. If it appears to the Director of Representation that substantial and material factual issues exist which, in the exercise of reasonable discretion, may more appropriately be resolved after a hearing; or

2. If it appears to the Director of Representation that the particular circumstances of the case are such that, in the exercise of reasonable discretion, the Director determines that a hearing will best serve the interests of administrative convenience and efficiency.

N.J. Admin. Code § 19:11-2.6

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 988(a), effective 3/5/2018