Hudson County workers press commissioners over withheld pandemic retention/hazard pay as negotiations continue

Hundreds of county employees and union representatives told the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners on May 22 that pandemic-era retention and hazard pay promised to some public employees has not been distributed, and demanded a detailed accounting of which workers were paid, which were not, and why.

The public-comment period — one of the meeting’s longest — was dominated by employees from welfare, corrections and other county departments who said they are short-staffed, losing workers and relying on mandatory overtime. "We have families. We need money to live here," said a welfare worker, while corrections officers described routine mandatory overtime that interferes with family caregiving and medical obligations.

Why it matters: Several speakers said the county has already distributed pandemic-related funds to other unions and worker groups, and that the delay has left many employees unable to meet basic expenses. Commissioners and the County Administrator acknowledged the issue is a priority but said some questions are subject to pending collective-bargaining or administrative review.

What employees said: Agnes Lucia, a welfare employee who said she brought a handout comparing county wages with neighboring Middlesex County, asked the Board to press the administration to negotiate pay steps rather than a single-percentage raise. "Five percent is not enough," Lucia said, arguing a step system would help with retention. Several speakers testified that they have not received a retention or hazard payment despite earlier public promises.

What the county said: County Administrator Abraham Antun told the Board the bulk of questions have been addressed to union leadership or the relevant department but that the administration would provide additional materials and copies to Commissioners. Antun and counsel said the matter involves ongoing legal and bargaining steps; County Counsel Alberico DePierro said a conference with the commission (PERC) and counsel is scheduled, and that he cannot discuss privileged negotiation details in public. "We are in the middle of litigation," DePierro said, adding that union and county attorneys should provide specific answers to members about status and timing.

Corrections and hiring concerns: Corrections staff also pressed the Board over hiring delays and licensing hurdles that keep applicants from taking posts. Several corrections speakers asked the Board to identify which agency or official could reverse particular licensing or background decisions. Commissioner O'Dea asked administration and counsel to determine who has authority to resolve individual hiring obstacles and to report back in closed session and publicly as appropriate.

Next steps: Commissioners repeatedly directed administration and counsel to return to the Board with a transparent accounting: which funds were allocated, how much, which employee groups were paid or excluded and why, and whether any employees can still claim unpaid hazard/retention sums. Administrator Antun said staff had already provided some totals to Commissioners and promised to provide additional detail and copies of documentation referenced at the meeting.

The meeting’s public commenters warned that momentum could be lost if the county does not provide clear timelines for distribution. Several union members said they will continue to press the Board at future meetings until they see concrete results. "We are not asking for an outrageous amount — we are asking for what we need to live here," one speaker said.

Ending: Commissioners promised follow-up. Several asked that union leadership and administration meet with Commissioners in committee or executive session to obtain the precise lists and dates the Board requested; a PERC hearing is scheduled as part of the ongoing dispute.