South Jersey Port Corp. Ends Attendance Perk

Acting on orders from Gov. Chris Christie, the South Jersey Port Corp. is no longer awarding bonuses to workers who show up on time.

The agency’s board eliminated giving a day’s pay for every two consecutive months that workers showed up no more than 30 minutes late. The board also ended the 40-year practice that allowed workers to convert vacation and sick days to cash.

Tuesday’s vote applies to 29 nonunion workers. However, the perks are expected to be struck from the next contract for 59 union workers.

Deborah L. Gramiccioni, director of the state unit that monitors authorities such as SJPC, told The Courier-Post of Cherry Hill employees “who simply come to work as scheduled” should not be rewarded.

The agency also planned to eliminate giving free TVs to union employees at the Broadway or Beckett Street terminals who work four years with no accidents.

Kevin Castagnola, acting executive director of the port corporation, defended the reward.

“These guys work outside in all kinds of weather,” he said. “Four years is a long time for no accidents, no workers comp claims, no injuries or damage to cargo.”

The agency oversees the development of port facilities in southern New Jersey.

Information from: Courier-Post, http://www.courierpostonline.com.