18. a. When a joint meeting or regional service agency merges bargaining units that have current contracts negotiated in accordance with the provisions of the “New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act,” P.L.1941, c.100 (C. 34:13A-1 et seq.), the terms and conditions of the existing contracts shall apply to the rights of the members of the respective bargaining units until a new contract is negotiated, reduced to writing, and signed by the parties as provided pursuant to law and regulation promulgated thereunder.

b. The Public Employment Relations Commission is specifically authorized to provide technical advice, pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1968, c.303 (C. 34:13A-8.3), and mediation services to integrate separate labor agreements into single agreements for the joint contract. The commission may order binding arbitration, pursuant to P.L.1995, c.425 (C. 34:13A-14a et al.), to integrate any labor agreement.

L.2007, c.63, s.18; amended 2019, c.433, s.9.