In Rozenblit v. Lyles, the New Jersey Supreme Court reviewed an award of summary judgment in favor of a teachers’ union and against two citizen-taxpayers. The taxpayers sought declaratory relief because the collective negotiations agreement between a school district and its the union created two full-time union positions paid for with taxpayer funds. The Court held that the Education Code granted local boards to fix payment of salary in cases except sick leave, thus leaving open the possibility – as here – that boards may fix payment for union activities. And the Court also held that the payments to the two employees did not violate the New Jersey Constitution Gift Clause.
