Essex County approves funding to implement binding arbitration for corrections supervisors; payouts expected within weeks

Essex County commissioners on March 6 moved to implement a binding arbitration award that mandates retroactive pay for supervisory corrections officers covering the 2018–2020 period. The board approved funding to carry out the arbitrator’s decision after staff said the county can process payments as soon as individual retroactive amounts are computed.

County counsel told commissioners that the arbitration decision is binding and not under appeal. Board members asked how many people will receive payments; counsel said the award affects “90 plus” employees, and union representatives warned the actual number owed—including retirees—exceeds 100. Commissioner questions centered on timing and scope: county staff estimated payroll computation and distribution would take about 30 to 60 days.

Commissioner dialogue also covered the unresolved status of subsequent years. County counsel and staff said the 2021–2023 years had not been resolved and remain subject to negotiation or separate arbitration filings. Commissioners asked whether additional binding arbitration filings were pending; staff said some unions had filed for arbitration on later years and cases had not yet been assigned to arbitrators.

James Troisi, vice president of FOP Local 106, told the board the arbitrator used a 12/31/2017 roster for calculations but that “the actual number of people that are owed money is over a 100,” including retirees. Troisi urged the administration to work with the Labor Oversight Committee on follow‑up implementation and related operational issues.

County staff and a commissioner noted the county reserved funds for retroactive pay; one commissioner added an estimate that the retroactive liability falls in the $3.5 million to $4.0 million range and confirmed funds would be paid from that reserve. Officials said those figures are being refined as payroll staff compute individual awards.

The board recorded the motion and carried the resolution by roll call. The administration said it will return with precise counts and timing as payroll completes calculations.