New Jersey Turnpike Authority v. Local 196, I.F.P.T.E.

On his way home from work, a toll collector employed by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (Authority) fired a paintball gun at a slower moving vehicle. That misconduct led to the employee’s termination. Nearly one year later, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, a mutually-selected arbitrator heard the employee’s grievance. The arbitrator reinstated the employee to his former position, but imposed an eleven-month, unpaid suspension and required periodic psychological evaluations. The Chancery Division upheld the arbitral decision, but the Appellate Division vacated the award,…