Bucking Gov. Jon Corzine, Monmouth County is giving its 3,500 employees a day off Friday, the Asbury Park Press reports.
Corzine, of course, has moved to end a decades-log tradition of giving state workers a paid day off on the Friday following Thanksgiving. New Jersey will be one of only 18 state governments open for business that day.
In Monmouth County, as at the state level, the day off is not included among the 13 days off per year guaranteed by collective bargaining agreements. But the Monmouth employees are being “granted” the day off anyway, county spokesman William K. Heine told the Press.
Heine said the county typically followed the state’s lead in setting holidays, but “there has been no change yet on the day after Thanksgiving.”
But that could change in future years, said William C. Barham, Monmouth County freeholder director.
“We’ve held off making Friday a work day because we’re watching what happens with the state,” Barham said. “As far as I know, the state is (being challenged by labor unions). The freeholders would like to see how that plays out before we set a new policy.”
Heine said officials surveyed other counties and municipalities about what they’re doing on Friday.
“I don’t think we found anyone that will be open,” Heine said. “State offices will be the only offices open.”
Red Bank Borough Hall is closed Friday, as are municipal offices in nearby towns.
