What's happening
This bill adds the New York State Power Authority and its employee unions to mandatory arbitration procedures under state civil service law.
Why it matters
Extends binding arbitration rights to NY Power Authority workers. By including the New York State Power Authority and its employee unions, the bill gives these workers access to the same mandatory arbitration procedures already used by major transit unions, potentially improving their leverage in negotiations.
Standardizes labor dispute resolution across major state entities. The amendment aligns the Power Authority’s labor dispute process with those of the MTA and NYC Transit Authority, promoting consistency and predictability in how critical public sector labor conflicts are settled.
Could reduce the risk of disruptive labor actions. Because binding arbitration offers an alternative to strikes or prolonged negotiation stalemates, this change may help prevent service interruptions or labor unrest at the Power Authority, which provides vital electricity services across New York.
Alters the balance of power in contract bargaining. By guaranteeing arbitration if negotiations deadlock, the bill may shift the dynamics between Power Authority management and unions, possibly leading to more favorable outcomes for workers compared to traditional bargaining impasses.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Arbitration for Power Authority
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Vetoed memo.188
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.456
- Substituted for A6988
- Referred to codes
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–1
- Ordered to third reading cal.1754
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to civil service and pensions
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.
Arbitrate Power Authority Disputes
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Peter Abbate
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3377
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GRIFFO, RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions
AN ACT to amend the civil service law, in relation to mandatory arbitration
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 5 of section 209 of the civil service law, as added by chapter 929 of the laws of 1986, is amended to read as follows:
(a) In the event that the board certifies that a voluntary resolution of the contract negotiations between either (i) the New York city transit authority (hereinafter referred to as TA-public employer) and the public employee organization certified or recognized to represent the majority of employees of such TA-public employer, or (ii) the metropolitan transportation authority, including its subsidiaries, the New York city transit authority, including its subsidiary, and the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority (all hereinafter referred to as MTA-public employer) and a public employee organization certified or recognized to represent employees of such MTA-public employer not subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Railway Labor Act and not subject to the provisions of subparagraph (i) [hereof] of this paragraph, which has made an election pursuant to paragraph (f) of this subdivision, or (iii) the New York state power authority and the public employee organization certified or recognized to represent the employees of such power authority, cannot be effected, or upon the joint request of the TA-public employer [or], the MTA-public employer (hereinafter jointly referred to as public employer) or the power authority-public employer and any such affected employee organization, such board shall refer the dispute to a public arbitration panel, consisting of one member appointed by the public employer, one member appointed by the employee organization and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05642-01-7
S. 3377 2
one public member appointed jointly by the public employer and employee organization who shall be selected within ten days after receipt by the board of a petition for creation of the arbitration panel. If either party fails to designate its member to the public arbitration panel, the board shall promptly, upon receipt of a request by either party, designate a member associated in interest with the public employer or employee organization he is to represent. Each of the respective parties is to bear the cost of its member appointed or designated to the arbitration panel and each of the respective parties is to share equally the cost of the public member. If, within seven days after the mailing date, the parties are unable to agree upon the one public member, the board shall submit to the parties a list of qualified, disinterested persons for the selection of the public member. Each party shall alternately strike from the list one of the names with the order of striking determined by lot, until the remaining one person shall be designated as public member. This process shall be completed within five days of receipt of this list. The parties shall notify the board of the designated public member. The public member shall be chosen as chairman.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the amendments made to paragraph (a) of subdivision 5 of section 209 of the civil service law by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such subdivision and shall be deemed to expire therewith.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the civil service law, in relation to mandatory arbitration
Purpose
Includes the New York Power Authority in the provisions relating to compulsory arbitration to resolve impasses in collective negotiations.
Summary of provisions
Amends Section 45 of Chapter 929 of the Laws of 1986.
Justification
Current provisions of Chapter 929 of the Laws of 1986 relate to compulsory arbitration to resolve impasses in collective negotiations between an MTA public employer and a public employee organization certified or recognized to represent employees of such MTA public employer. This bill would add employees of the New York Power Authority to those who receive such benefits. Compulsory arbitration has allowed the people of New York to enjoy uninterrupted service. All evaluations of the effects of this law have been positive and have advocated the continuation of this process.
Legislative history
2015-16 - S. 3120 - Finance Committee/A. 6175 - Passed Assembly.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediate.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.