In a major win for the staffing industry, the New Jersey State Senate chose yesterday not to vote on Gov. Murphy’s conditional veto of A 1474, an onerous bill that would make it harder for staffing agencies to do business in the Garden State. ASA; the New Jersey Staffing Alliance, an ASA-affiliated chapter; and staffing agencies engaged in intense advocacy, resulting in the bill being pulled from consideration because the senate did not have enough votes for passage. This marks the second time the vote was tabled, as advocacy forestalled the bill’s passage in October.

A 1474, which applies to construction, light industrial, and other workers—but not professional or clerical workers—would, among other things

• Require staffing agencies to pay at least the average rate of pay, as well as the average cost of benefits or the cash equivalent, of what client employees performing the same or substantially similar work receive
• Impose a limitation on conversion fees
• Prohibit agencies from charging a fee for providing transportation

ASA and NJSA engaged in a prolonged grassroots campaign, explaining to senators why the bill is bad for workers and the staffing industry, and were successful in persuading one senator to introduce an alternative, more palatable, bill.

On Oct. 6, Sen. Holly Schepisi introduced S 3182. Modeled after the Massachusetts Temporary Worker Right to Know law, the legislation contains several provisions found in A 1474 that protect temporary employees but presents fewer operational issues for staffing agencies.

The senate may still take up A 1474 on Dec. 22. Between now and then, ASA will continue to urge senators to support S 3182 as a compromise bill. ASA and NJSA also will be reaching out to staffing agencies doing business in New Jersey to ask them to contact their state senators to support S 3182.