52:39A-1 Findings, declarations relative to labor harmony agreements in connection with hospitality projects.

1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

a. the State, through its investment in development projects has a significant and ongoing economic interest in the financial viability and competitiveness of those projects;

b. development projects that include hospitality establishments provide essential services and jobs for local residents, stimulate local economies, are a vital economic engine that provides revenue for our communities and promotes vibrant downtowns and financial stability, and have a direct impact on the reputation of New Jersey as a viable tourism market;

c. there are labor organizations in New Jersey that currently represent thousands of hospitality workers, and actively engage in organizing activities to unionize additional hospitality establishments in the State which may include strikes, pickets, boycotts, and other economic activity during labor disputes;

d. New Jersey and other public bodies in the State have a compelling interest in preventing disruptive labor disputes in connection with projects in which the public bodies have proprietary interests as investors, owners or financiers; and

e. labor harmony agreements make possible legally enforceable guarantees that projects will be carried out in an orderly and timely manner, without strikes, lock-outs, or slowdowns, thus protecting the State's interest in these projects by promoting harmonious and productive work environments.

L.2019, c.438, s.1.