Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 21 signed a legislative package that seeks to strengthen the rights and benefits of public-sector workers in New York state. This package builds upon changes announced earlier this year to “rebuild and modernize” the state and local public-sector workforce as part of the state budget, her office announced. About the […]
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 21 signed a legislative package that seeks to strengthen the rights and benefits of public-sector workers in New York state.
This package builds upon changes announced earlier this year to “rebuild and modernize” the state and local public-sector workforce as part of the state budget, her office announced.
About the laws
One of the laws ensures un-remarried spouses and dependents have access to health insurance after the death of a former state or political subdivision employee who retired with an accidental disability or a performance-of-duty disability pension.
Under “certain scenarios,” the New York State Health Insurance Plan only allows for this in cases where the employee had at least 10 years of service prior to their death. This law will now allow those spouses and dependents of such retirees with less than 10 years of service to carry such insurance.
The package also includes a law that provides rights to employees outside of the competitive class in the case of a reduction in the workforce that is consistent with what is provided to employees in the competitive class. This new law will provide equal reduction and recall provisions in civil-service law to permanently appointed employees in competitive, non-competitive, and labor jurisdictional classifications at all levels of state and local government, Hochul’s office said.
Another law closes the loophole for arbitrations between public employers and employees by requiring a party to make an application to modify or vacate an award within 90 days after delivery of the award. This change will ensure that there is a “more timely” final resolution to matters subject to arbitration, requiring an unsuccessful party to determine whether it intends to comply with an award or will move to vacate or modify an award within the 90-day period, per Hochul’s office.
While a motion to vacate/modify must be brought within 90 days currently, there is a separate right specifically mentioned in the law and only applicable when the other party seeks to confirm the award, meaning the previous law specifically provided the right to challenge on grounds outside of 90 days.
“Governor Hochul has once again proven she stands in solidarity with hard working CSEA members in signing several bills that protect and improve our rights,” CSEA President Mary Sullivan said in a statement. “We are thankful for the governor’s continued support and respect of public employees. Her actions provide meaningful relief to many public workers in our state.”
Sullivan and the CSEA publicly endorsed Hochul in the 2022 election for New York governor in January of that year (https://cseany.org/workforce/?p=10759).