In re New Jersey Turnpike Authority

The opinion of the court was delivered by

KOLE, J.A.D.

(retired and temporarily assigned on recall).

The issue in this case concerns the authority of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (Authority) to negotiate with a union of its employees with respect to a decision as to employee layoffs. Is such a decision a matter of managerial prerogative which may not be negotiated, pursuant to such cases as State v. State Supervisory Employees Association, 78 N.J. 54, 393 A.2d 233 (1978)? 1 Id. at 88, 393 A.2d 233. The resolution of that question, in turn, depends upon whether the Authority is a “public…