Provides for binding arbitration for security services collective bargaining unit members who are warrant and transfer officers in the division of parole

Title of bill

An act to amend the civil service law, in relation to providing for binding arbitration in negotiations for certain members of the security services collective bargaining unit

Purpose

To provide for binding arbitration to warrant and transfer officers employed by the Division of Parole.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends § 209(2) of the Civil Service Law to include within its provisions members of the Security Services collective bargaining unit who hold the title of warrant and transfer officer.

Section 2 of the bill amends the opening paragraph of § 209(4) of the Civil Service Law in the same manner.

Section 3 of the bill amends § 209(4) of the Civil Service Law to limit application of binding arbitration to compensatory issues.

Section 4 of the bill provides the effective date.

Existing law

Currently, binding arbitration in collective negotiations is available only to correctional officer members of the security Services collective bargaining unit.

Justification

Binding arbitration legislation with respect to compensatory issues for all members of the Security Services collective bargaining unit passed the Legislature and became law during the 2001 Legislative Session. (See Chapter 586 of the Laws of 2001.) During the subsequent Legislative Session, however, through the enactment of Chapter 220 of the Laws of 2002, binding arbitration was limited to members of the bargaining unit who were correctional officers. Warrant and transfer officer's 'employed by the Division of Parole are statutorily defined as peace officers who are charged with the critical duty of recovering parole violators who have fled the State of New York. It is the duty of these law enforcement officers to arrange for the safe return of these parole violators to the State, regardless of the location of the absconder and regardless of the level of danger associated with returning a particular offender. Despite the critical functions performed by warrant and transfer officers- functions which are not dissimilar to the functions performed by police officer's they are not currently afforded the benefits of binding arbitration. This proposal recognizes this inequity and grants binding arbitration in collective negotiations to these dedicated individuals.

Legislative history

S.8335 of 2007/2008

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.