I.R. NO. 87-24

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

In the Matter of

MATAWAN-ABERDEEN REGIONAL

SCHOOL DISTRICT,

Petitioner,

-and-	Docket No. SN-87-61

MATAWAN REGIONAL TEACHERS

ASSOCIATION,

Respondent.

Appearances:

For the Petitioner, Kenney & Kenney, attorneys

(Malachi J. Kenney, of counsel)

For the Respondent, Oxfeld, Cohen & Blunda, attorneys

(Mark J. Blunda, of counsel)

INTERLOCUTORY DECISION

On April 7, 1987, the Matawan Regional School District Board of Education (Board) filed a Scope of Negotiations Petition with the Public Employment Relations Commission. The Petition was accompanied by an Application for Interim Relief and an Order to Show Cause.

The Board sought to restrain an arbitration which was pendign between it and the Matawan REgional Teachers Association (Association). Said arbitration was set for April 9, 1987.

The arbitration arose out of a grievance filed by the Association. The grievance alleges that on August 25, 1986, the Association received a communication from the Deputy Superintendent and the Board's labor negotiator that they were unilaterally increasing the length of the workday for the teaching staff at the

high school without negotiating this change. The relief sought was the immediate restoration of the contractually set length of day and compensation in accordance with Article XIV for all high school staff members and compensation to the MRTA for all costs, legal fees, etc. involved in this matter.

It appearing from the record before me that the decision to increase the length of the workday was based on educational policies, the arbitration is restrained. However, to the extent that the issue of compensation for an increased workday is a severable issue, the Application for restraint is denied and the arbitration may go forward on that issue.

Edmund G. Gerber

Commission Designee

DATED: Trenton, New Jersey

April 16, 1987