Bergen County PBA Local 134 v. Donovan

The opinion of the court was delivered by

CARROLL, J.S.C.

(temporarily assigned).

This appeal presents the questions (1) whether the Bergen County Sheriff (Sheriff) has the exclusive statutory authority to negotiate salary payments, increases, and other economic benefits with the employees of the Sheriffs Department, subject to the requirements of N.J.S.A 40A:9-117; and (2) whether the court, rather than the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC), is the appropriate forum to adjudicate this dispute. We answer both questions in the affirmative, and affirm the trial court’s…