A.B.D. No. 86-7

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION APPEAL BOARD

OAL DKT #PRB-283-86

AGENCY DKT #AB-85-10

GEORGE BRADLEY, ET AL.,

Petitioners,

v.

ESSEX COUNTY SHERIFF'S

OFFICERS-COURT ATTENDANTS,

PBA LOCAL NO. l83,

Respondent.

Appearances:

Michael L. Oliveira, Esq. for petitioners

Donald B. Ross, Jr., Esq. for respondent

(Whipple, Ross & Hirsh, attorneys)

DECISION AND ORDER

On May 9, 1985, 23 Essex County Sheriff's Officers and Court Attendants filed petitions of appeal with the Public Employment Relations Commission Appeal Board ("Appeal Board"). The petitioners are employed by the Essex County Sheriff's Office and are represented for purposes of collective negotiations by Respondent, Essex County Sheriff's Officers-Court Attendants, PBA Local No. l83 ("PBA"). They pay representation fees in lieu of dues to the PBA. The petitions and attached exhibits state that the Petitioners objected to the absence of a demand and return system and the amount of the representation fees paid to the PBA between 1982 and 1984.

On January l0, 1986, the Appeal Board transferred the petitions as a contested case to the Office of Administrative Law for hearing. The cases were assigned to Administrative Law Judge Arnold Samuels. Prior to the opening of hearings the PBA and all petitioners entered into a stipulation of settlement. Judge Samuels reviewed the terms of the settlement and concluded that it was entered into voluntarily, fully disposed of all issues in controversy and was consistent with law.

On March 24, 1986 Judge Samuels issued an "Initial Decision-Settlement" ordering that all parties comply with the terms of the settlement and concluding the proceedings before him. We have reviewed the settlement and Judge Samuels' Order, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:14B-10, and conclude that his action is correct.

ORDER

The Initial Decision-Settlement of the Office of Administrative Law (attached hereto) is hereby affirmed.

BY ORDER OF THE APPEAL BOARD

ROBERT J. PACCA

Chairman

Chairman Pacca and Board Members Dorf and Verhage voted in favor of this decision.

DATED: TRENTON, NEW JERSEY

April l5, l986

ISSUED: April l6, l986