What's happening
This bill amends labor law to include public sector employers such as counties, towns, and school districts in wage payment provisions.
Why it matters
Expands worker protections. By including counties, towns, villages, school districts, and other public-sector employers under wage payment laws, public employees gain the same legal protections regarding timely and full wage payment as private sector workers.
Creates accountability for public employers. Public agencies and municipal entities would now be legally responsible for compliance with wage payment requirements, making it easier for employees to challenge wage violations or delays.
Potential for increased litigation and enforcement. Public sector unions and employees would have recourse to labor law remedies if wage laws are violated, possibly increasing oversight and legal action against government employers.
Standardizes labor rights. The amendment reduces the disparity between public and private sector employees in New York, aiming for more uniform labor standards across all types of employment.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Include Public Workers' Wages
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to labor
- Referred to labor
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Include Public Workers in Wage Law
In Assembly Committee · Labor · Sponsor Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3119
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 19, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to including public employment in wage payment provisions
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 190 of the labor law, as amended by chapter 281 of the laws of 2002, is amended to read as follows:
3. "Employer" includes any person, corporation, limited liability company, or association employing any individual in any occupation, industry, trade, business or service. The term "employer" shall [not] include [a governmental agency] counties, towns, villages, school districts, and any other municipal corporations or public authorities.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01523-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the labor law, in relation to including public employment in wage payment provisions
Purpose
The bill provides a remedy for employees who are not paid by their public employer.
Summary of provisions
The bill adds public employees to Article 6 of the Labor Law.
Justification
Currently public employees are forced to resort to grievance arbitration, which may take place over an inordinate length of time and cost, in order to recover unpaid earned wages. This is particularly problematic for non-union employees. There are no consequences for a public employer failing to pay wages, such as a school district retaining compensation for extracurricular activities to teachers or for contingent workers. Adding public employers to existing law will serve as deterrent to employers withholding funds and provide a safety net for compensation.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.1774 - Referred to Labor 2013-14: S.7895 - Referred to Rules
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Takes effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.