Paid Union Leave Costs NJ Taxpayers Millions

New Jersey taxpayers are picking up the tab for some public employees to conduct union business, according to a report released Wednesday, but the state's largest teachers union says that's a longstanding practice that actually benefits taxpayers.

The report by the State Commission of Investigation calls for eliminating or substantially curtailing paid union leave for government workers, a practice that's cost taxpayers more than $30 million since 2006. "Although it is not uncommon, nor is it necessarily improper, for government employers to grant some form of time-off for union work, the Commission found significant and questionable variations in how such leave is authorized, who qualifies for it, who keeps track of it, how it is constituted and who ultimately pays the bill," the report reads.

The report noted that some union officials in New Jersey have been on paid leave for decades without performing any government work. Investigators said some received additional compensation in the form of attendance stipends or overtime at taxpayer expense, and taxpayers occasionally paid for cars, office space, computers and other equipment used for union business.

The practice can be confusing and inconsistent, the report noted, with different rules for different classes of public employee. The investigation also uncovered instances of "sloppy and incomplete record-keeping," as well as "lengthy and inexplicable delays" in documents being provided.

The report further recommends enhancing public disclosure and transparency of the practice, setting uniform rules for granting union leave and all recipients of full-time paid union leave providing immediate notice to officials.

New Jersey Education Association President Barbara Keshishian said the report didn't uncover any evidence of wrongdoing, noting that granting leave for workers to conduct union business is a common, longstanding practice.

She also questioned the timing of the report, saying the state has seen attacks on public education and unions recently. The NJEA represents nearly 200,000 educators New Jersey.

"Agreements for release time, including full-time release in a limited number of instances, have been around for decades," she said. "They have always been a matter of public record. The fact that the release of this report comes in the midst of a sustained attack on public education and public sector unions in New Jersey is a remarkable coincidence."

Keshishian said the cost of such leave is almost always borne by the union, not by taxpayers. And granting leave for union business actually saves time and money for school districts, she said, making it faster and easier for union officials and schools to resolve issues.

The report examined 120 school districts, 17 towns, all 21 counties and 12 government departments.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)