IN THE MATTER OF OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE VS. OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE FACULTY ASSOCIATION (PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION)

**Ocean County College Faculty Win Important Bargaining Rights Case** Ocean County College challenged two provisions in their faculty union's collective bargaining agreement that gave professors certain preferences in work assignments. The college argued these provisions interfered with their right to manage operations and claimed the faculty union couldn't negotiate these terms. The Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) disagreed with the college and ruled in favor of the faculty association. When the college appealed this decision, the appellate court upheld PERC's ruling. The court determined that the disputed contract provisions about faculty work preferences were proper subjects for collective bargaining negotiations and did not violate the college's management rights. This decision matters for workers because it strengthens their union's ability to negotiate workplace terms that affect their daily jobs. The ruling clarifies that public sector unions can bargain for provisions that give employees input on work assignments, even when employers claim these interfere with management decisions. For faculty and other public employees, this case reinforces that unions can successfully negotiate for contract language that provides workers with preferences and protections regarding their work conditions, as long as these don't completely eliminate management's ability to operate.