International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 542 v. Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission

**What Happened** The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 542, sued the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission over a contract dispute. The union claimed the Commission had broken their collective bargaining agreement. The key issue was whether New Jersey and Pennsylvania state labor laws applied to this special agency, which operates bridges between the two states under an interstate agreement. **The Court's Decision** The court ruled in favor of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. The judges found that regular state collective bargaining laws from New Jersey and Pennsylvania do not apply to this bi-state agency. The court explained that when the state legislatures created this interstate compact, they did not clearly state that state labor laws should govern the Commission's operations. **What This Means for Workers** This ruling shows that workers employed by special interstate agencies may have different legal protections than those working for regular state or private employers. Unions and workers at similar bi-state or multi-state authorities should carefully review what laws apply to their workplace, as standard state labor protections might not automatically cover them. This could affect their bargaining rights and contract enforcement options.