New Jersey State Board of Mediation

New Jersey State Board of Mediation Overview

The New Jersey State Board of Mediation is an independent state agency dedicated to the prompt and amicable settlement of labor disputes between employers and employees. Located on the 12th floor of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development Building at John Fitch Plaza, the Board serves as a neutral third party to facilitate constructive labor relations. Established under the New Jersey Labor Mediation Act, the agency works to prevent or minimize work stoppages, strikes, and lockouts that could disrupt the state’s economy and public welfare.

Dispute Resolution Services

The Board offers specialized services primarily focused on the private sector, though it also plays a role in public sector grievance arbitration. Its core functions include:

• Mediation: Professional mediators assist labor unions and employers in negotiating collective bargaining agreements. This service is voluntary and provided at no cost to the parties.
• Arbitration: The Board maintains a panel of qualified private arbitrators to resolve grievances arising from the interpretation or application of existing labor contracts.
• Consent Elections: The agency conducts impartial elections to determine whether employees wish to be represented by a specific labor union for collective bargaining purposes.

Who Should Contact the Board?

This agency specifically handles labor-management relations. It does not handle personal legal disputes, divorce mediation, or consumer complaints. Individuals should contact this board if they are union representatives or employers seeking assistance with contract negotiations or grievance resolution. Public sector unions (teachers, police) with scope-of-negotiations disputes typically fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC), though the Board of Mediation handles their grievance arbitration panels.

Location and Access

The Board’s offices are situated within the secure Labor Building complex in downtown Trenton. Visitors must present valid government-issued identification and pass through security screening, including metal detectors, in the main lobby. Parking is available in nearby public garages, as the on-site lots are generally reserved for state employees. Public transportation via the River Line and NJ Transit buses is readily available nearby.