Court Opinion

ID: 9698988
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 20:06:06.399303+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:45.178124
License: Public Domain

HANDLER,
Justice, concurring.
The relief ultimately sought by appellant is the right to include as a subject of negotiation on behalf of its member-em*512ployees an agency-fee arrangement as a term and condition of employment with the Judiciary. The Court makes clear in its opinion that this question — whether an agency-fee arrangement should be a negotiable term and condition for judiciary employees — is currently under consideration by the Chief Justice. It is anticipated that it will be the subject of a determination and action by the Chief Justice. It is evident that such an administrative disposition obviates a meritorious judicial disposition of the legal issues and claims brought by plaintiffs in this action. The Court, therefore, soundly “defer[s] decision of the constitutional questions raised by CWA.” Ante at 510, 572 A.2d at 620.
Nevertheless, the Court engages “in the probable analysis” of such constitutional issues. Ante at 510-511, 572 A.2d at 620-621. However, it is not imperative that we foreshadow any particular analytical approach to a treatment of constitutional issues, especially when consideration of such issues can be held in abeyance because they may not ripen into a genuine controversy. It may also be a better exercise of discretion not to engage in such a discussion of constitutional doctrine lest it be misconstrued as a reflection of the Judiciary’s labor-relations attitude. It assuredly is not so intended. Thus, despite its characterization, I do not construe the Court’s “analysis” as a description or delineation of relevant and operative constitutional standards or tests. The Court’s reference to constitutional concerns should be understood, I respectfully suggest, as no more than an indication of the degree of novelty or complexity. that may attend any determination of constitutional issues in this case in the event constitutional adjudication becomes necessary.
For affirmance — Chief Justice WILENTZ and Justices CLIFFORD, HANDLER, POLLOCK, O’HERN, GARIBALDI and STEIN — 7.
Opposed — None.