Statement of Principles for
Reconfiguration of New Jersey Legal
Services Programs
The New Jersey Statewide
Plan for 2002-2004 sets forth that certain existing programs are expected to
merge by January 1, 2003. The National Organization of Legal Services Workers
(NOLSW), UAW Local 2320, urges that the Board of Directors for any program
involved in merger or consolidation adopt these six principles:
1. Maintain existing client access. Any merger or consolidation of existing programs should not
result in a loss of client access to services where it currently exists. No
existing offices should be closed under any plan to merge or consolidate
existing programs.
2. Ensure continuity of ties to local communities. Any merger or consolidation of existing
programs should retain and build upon strong ties to local communities where they
exist. Moreover, local communities should continue to have effective input into
program decisions involving the delivery of services, including where two or
more existing programs merge.
3. Ensure no displacement of existing staff. Any merger or consolidation of existing
programs should emphasize retention of experienced staff who provide direct
services and support to the client community. Thus, any merger or consolidation
agreement should include an explicit commitment that there will be no layoffs or
involuntary transfers as a result of the merger or consolidation. Where merger
or consolidation results in changes to the existing delivery structure,
appropriate training should be provided to retain existing staff facing
displacement.
4. Ensure continuity of existing wages and benefits. Any merger or consolidation should not
result in a reduction of existing wages and benefits. Where wages or benefits
differ among merged or consolidated programs, they should be harmonized at the
highest level as soon as reasonably possible. In addition, employees receiving
the highest levels of wages and benefits should not be frozen but should be
accorded enhancements at least equal to the increase in the cost of living.
Lastly, employees of programs involved in a merger or consolidation should
retain any previously accrued seniority.
5. Honor existing collective bargaining rights. Any mergers or consolidation of existing
programs should not be used to undermine existing bargaining units and
collective bargaining agreements. Thus,
any merger or consolidation agreement involving unionized programs should
include a requirement that the successor entity recognize the current
collective bargaining representative of employees in any existing bargaining
unit and assume all rights and responsibilities imposed by any existing
collective bargaining agreements.
6. Eliminate duplicative administrative costs. Any merger or consolidation of existing
programs should attempt to use scarce resources more efficiently and effectively
for direct client services. Thus, the current administrative structure of
programs undergoing merger or consolidation should be reexamined with special
attention to reducing duplicative administrative costs wherever possible.
Adopted by:
Legal Services Staff
Association (LSSA)
of Camden Regional Legal
Services, Inc.
NOLSW, UAW Local 2320
Organized Workers of Legal
Services (OWLS)
/Middlesex County
NOLSW, UAW Local 2320
Shore Legal Services Workers
(SLSW)
NOLSW, UAW Local 2320
Hudson County Legal Services
Attorney Association
NOLSW, UAW Local 2320
Hudson County Legal Services
Staff Association (LSSA)
NOLSW, UAW Local 2320
Essex-Newark Legal Services
Attorney Association
NOLSW, UAW Local 2320
Essex-Newark Legal Services
Staff Association (LSSA)
NOLSW, UAW Local 2320
Passaic Legal Aid Society
Workers Union
NOLSW, UAW Local 2320