What's happening
This bill implements negotiated salary increases, bonuses, and location pay for nonjudicial officers and employees of New York's unified court system from 2016 to 2019.
Why it matters
Ensures pay equity and retention for court employees. By systematically increasing salary schedules and location pay, the bill addresses cost-of-living increases and provides incentives for experienced nonjudicial staff to remain with the New York Unified Court System.
Directly ties bonuses and raises to service and performance. Longevity bonuses are awarded based on continuous years of service, and employees must have satisfactory performance evaluations to qualify, aligning compensation with both tenure and work quality.
Provides retroactive and catch-up compensation. The bill includes provisions for lump sum payments to cover the difference between previous pay and newly authorized rates, ensuring employees are fairly compensated for work performed since April 2016, even if there were delays in implementing the increases.
Standardizes and clarifies pay structure. By formally setting forth detailed salary schedules and procedures for pay calculation, the legislation reduces ambiguity and potential disputes over how raises, bonuses, and location pay are determined and administered within the court system.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Raise Court Worker Pay
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by A8101
- Ordered to third reading cal.2071
- Reported and committed to rules
- Referred to judiciary
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.
Raise Court Worker Pay
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Helene Weinstein
Full text
7 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6494
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 25, 2017
Introduced by Sen. GOLDEN -- (at request of the Office of Court Administration) -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT in relation to terms and conditions of employment of certain nonjudicial officers and employees of the unified court system
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature finds that collective bargaining agreements have been negotiated by the unified court system with employee organizations representing nonjudicial officers and employees in the following negotiating units: Suffolk county, New York city administrative, librarian, clerical and support, New York city administrative services, ninth judicial district, citywide law assistants, New York city senior court attorneys and New York city court reporters. The purpose of this act is to implement these agreements and any other collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the unified court system with an employee organization where, pursuant to section five of this act, the chief administrator of the courts has delivered a certificate to the comptroller that such collective bargaining agreement is in effect. References in this act to the unified court system's classification structure shall mean the classification structure established by the chief administrator on May 28, 1979, as amended since that date. Reference to the April, 2015 salary schedule shall mean the salary schedule promulgated by the chief administrator of the courts pursuant to subdivision (b) of section 2 of chapter 400 of the laws of 2014. References to the April, 2016 salary schedule, the April, 2017 salary schedule and the April, 2018 salary schedule shall mean the salary schedules promulgated by the chief administrator pursuant to subdivisions (a), (b) and (c) of section two of this act, respectively.
§ 2. Salary schedules. The chief administrator of the courts shall promulgate salary schedules, as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11816-01-7
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(a) Effective April 1, 2016, each of the rates of pay established by the April, 2015 salary schedule shall be increased as follows;
(1) the maximum rate for each grade shall be increased by an amount equal to 2 percent thereof (and then rounded up to the nearest dollar);
(2) the amount of the increment for each grade shall equal one-seventh of the difference (rounded up to the nearest dollar) between the maximum rate for such grade, as increased by paragraph (1) of this subdivision, and 102 percent of the hiring rate for such grade on the April, 2016 salary schedule (rounded up to the nearest dollar);
(3) the hiring, first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth year rates of compensation for each grade shall equal the maximum rate for such grade, as increased by paragraph (1) of this subdivision, minus 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 times the amount of the increment for such grade, as increased by paragraph (2) of this subdivision, respectively;
(4) the longevity rate for each grade shall equal the maximum rate for such grade, as increased by paragraph (1) of this subdivision, plus the amount of the increment for such grade; and
(5) the extra-longevity rate for each grade shall equal the longevity rate for such grade, as increased by paragraph (4) of this subdivision, plus the amount of the increment for such grade.
(b) Effective April 1, 2017, each of the rates of pay established by the April, 2016 salary schedule shall be increased as follows;
(1) the maximum rate for each grade shall be increased by an amount equal to 2 percent thereof (and then rounded up to the nearest dollar);
(2) the amount of the increment for each grade shall equal one-seventh of the difference (rounded up to the nearest dollar) between the maximum rate for such grade, as increased by paragraph (1) of this subdivision, and 102 percent of the hiring rate for such grade on the April, 2016 salary schedule (rounded up to the nearest dollar);
(3) the hiring, first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth year rates of compensation for each grade shall equal the maximum rate for such grade, as increased by paragraph (1) of this subdivision, minus 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 times the amount of the increment for such grade, as increased by paragraph (2) of this subdivision, respectively;
(4) the longevity rate for each grade shall equal the maximum rate for such grade, as increased by paragraph (1) of this subdivision, plus the amount of the increment for such grade; and
(5) the extra-longevity rate for each grade shall equal the longevity rate for such grade, as increased by paragraph (4) of this subdivision, plus the amount of the increment for such grade.
(c) Effective April 1, 2018, each of the rates of pay established by the April, 2017 salary schedule shall be increased as follows:
(1) the maximum rate for each grade shall be increased by an amount equal to 2 percent thereof (and then rounded up to the nearest dollar);
(2) the amount of the increment for each grade shall equal one-seventh of the difference (rounded up to the nearest dollar) between the maximum rate for such grade, as increased by paragraph (1) of this subdivision, and 102 percent of the hiring rate for such grade on the April, 2017 salary schedule (rounded up to the nearest dollar);
(3) the hiring, first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth year rates of compensation for each grade shall equal the maximum rate for such grade, as increased by paragraph (1) of this subdivision, minus 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 times the amount of the increment for such grade, as increased by paragraph (2) of this subdivision, respectively;
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(4) the longevity rate for each grade shall equal the maximum rate for such grade, as increased by paragraph (1) of this subdivision, plus the amount of the increment for such grade; and
(5) the extra-longevity rate for each grade shall equal the longevity rate for such grade, as increased by paragraph (4) of this subdivision, plus the amount of the increment for such grade.
§ 3. Increases in compensation for persons in allocated positions.
(a) Each nonjudicial officer and employee of the unified court system in a position allocated to a salary grade in the unified court system's classification structure that is in any collective negotiating unit of nonjudicial officers and employees of the unified court system where, pursuant to section five of this act, the chief administrator of the courts has delivered to the comptroller a certificate that an employee organization representing nonjudicial officers and employees in such unit has negotiated a collective bargaining agreement with the unified court system that is in effect, or that is in any of the following collective negotiating units, shall receive increased compensation in accordance with this section: (1) Suffolk county, (2) New York city administrative, librarian, clerical and support, (3) New York city administrative services, (4) ninth judicial district, (5) citywide law assistants, (6) New York city senior court attorneys, and (7) New York city court reporters. Bonuses and increases to basic annual salary, as provided in this section, shall be prorated for any nonjudicial officer or employee whose position is part-time, or who otherwise works parttime, and who is eligible, under the rules of the chief judge of the state or an agreement between the state and an employee organization pursuant to the provisions of article fourteen of the civil service law, to accrue annual and sick leave credits. Bonuses as provided in this section shall be in addition to and shall not be a part of an employee's basic annual salary; provided, however, they shall be included as compensation for retirement purposes. For purposes of this section:
(i) no nonjudicial officer or employee shall receive a full or partial increment or bonus hereunder unless he or she shall have received other than an unsatisfactory performance rating for his or her services during the year immediately preceding pursuant to a performance evaluation system set forth in an agreement specified in section one of this act, nor shall any nonjudicial officer or employee receive a bonus provided in this section where he or she, as of the date on which this act becomes a law, already has received that bonus pursuant to law other than a provision of this act;
(ii) any full or partial increment received by a nonjudicial office or employee effective April 1, 2016 or April 1, 2017, pursuant to law other than a provision of this act, shall not be considered when determining:
(A) a nonjudicial officer or employee's basic annual salary on a specified date; and
(B) whether a nonjudicial officer or employee is eligible to receive a full or partial increment of the grade of his or her position on any of such dates pursuant to a provision of this act;
(iii) service in the employ of the unified court system shall mean service in one or more courts or agencies of the unified court system, whether as a judge or as a nonjudicial officer or employee. In order for a nonjudicial officer or employee's years of service in the employ of the unified court system to be "continuous," he or she must have served the equivalent of 120 workdays in each of those years; and the number of years required to qualify for a bonus hereunder must be served consecutively except that they may be interrupted by one or more breaks of not
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more than one year each, attributable to a period of time between any separation from his or her position in the employ of the unified court system and resumption of service in such employ.
(b) Effective April 1, 2016:
(1) Each such nonjudicial officer and employee who is eligible to receive a full or partial increment of the grade of his or her position in accordance with provisions of the judiciary law shall receive such full or partial increment, to be determined in accordance with the April, 2015 salary schedule.
(2) Each such nonjudicial officer and employee shall be placed in his or her grade on the April, 2016 salary schedule in the manner provided as follows:
(i) If his or her basic annual salary under the April, 2015 salary schedule, including any increase pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subdivision, is identical with the hiring, first year, second year, third year, fourth year, fifth year, sixth year, maximum, longevity or extra-longevity rate of compensation of the grade of his or her position, that basic annual salary shall be increased to the corresponding rate of compensation in such grade as established by the April, 2016 salary schedule; or
(ii) If his or her basic annual salary under the April, 2015 salary schedule, including any increase pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subdivision, is not identical with the hiring, first year, second year, third year, fourth year, fifth year, sixth year, maximum, longevity or extra-longevity rate of compensation of the grade of his or her position, that basic annual salary shall be increased by an amount equaling 2 percent thereof (and then rounded up to the nearest dollar);
Notwithstanding the foregoing, where operation of the provisions of this paragraph would result in a nonjudicial officer or employee receiving an increase in basic annual salary of less than 1,000 dollars, such nonjudicial officer or employee shall be placed in his or her grade on the April, 2016 salary schedule at his or her basic annual salary, including any increase pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subdivision, plus 1,000 dollars.
(3) Each such nonjudicial officer and employee in the employ of the unified court system having at least 20 years of continuous service in the employ of the unified court system as of the preceding March 31 shall receive a bonus equaling: (i) 1,900 dollars, if he or she has less than 25 years of such service as of such date; or (ii) 2,000 dollars, if he or she has at least 25 but less than 30 years of such service as of such date; or (iii) 2,100 dollars, if he or she has at least 30 years of such service as of such date.
(c) Effective April 1, 2017:
(1) Each such nonjudicial officer and employee who is eligible to receive a full or partial increment of the grade of his or her position in accordance with provisions of the judiciary law shall receive such full or partial increment, to be determined in accordance with the April, 2016 salary schedule.
(2) Each such nonjudicial officer and employee shall be placed in his or her grade on the April, 2017 salary schedule in the manner provided as follows:
(i) If his or her basic annual salary under the April, 2016 salary schedule, including any increase pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subdivision, is identical with the hiring, first year, second year, third year, fourth year, fifth year, sixth year, maximum, longevity or extra-longevity rate of compensation of the grade of his or her posi-
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tion, that basic annual salary shall be increased to the corresponding rate of compensation in such grade as established by the April, 2017 salary schedule; or
(ii) If his or her basic annual salary under the April, 2016 salary schedule, including any increase pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subdivision, is not identical with the hiring, first year, second year, third year, fourth year, fifth year, sixth year, maximum, longevity or extra-longevity rate of compensation of the grade of his or her position, that basic annual salary shall be increased by an amount equaling 2 percent thereof (and then rounded up to the nearest dollar);
Notwithstanding the foregoing, where operation of the provisions of this paragraph would result in a nonjudicial officer or employee receiving an increase in basic annual salary of less than 1,000 dollars, such nonjudicial officer or employee shall be placed in his or her grade on the April, 2017 salary schedule at his or her basic annual salary, including any increase pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subdivision, plus 1,000 dollars.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act in relation to terms and conditions of employment of certain nonjudicial officers and employees of the unified court system
This measure is being introduced at the request of the Judiciary. It implements collective bargaining agreements between the State and seven (7) public employee unions negotiating on behalf of court employees in the following collective negotiating units: Suffolk county; New York city administrative, librarian, clerical and support; New York city administrative services; ninth judicial district; citywide law assistants; New York city senior court attorneys; and New York city court reporters negotiating units. These collective bargaining agreements provide salary increases and other benefits for the period from April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2019.
This measure authorizes the following for affected nonjudicial officers and employees during the period covered by the agreements:
Read the full memo (717 words)
- Effective April 1, 2016, all employees shall receive an increment, if eligible therefor, and a pay increase of 2%.
- Effective April 1, 2017, all employees shall receive an increment, if eligible therefor, and a pay increase of 2%.
- Effective April 1, 2018, all employees shall receive an increment, if eligible therefor, and a pay increase of 2%.
In addition to authorizing the foregoing pay increases, this measure:
- Provides for the payment of pensionable annual bonuses to affected employees who have been continuously employed in the courts for 20 years or more, as follows:
* If so employed for at least 20 years, $1,900 effective April 1, 2016; $1,950 effective April 1, 2017; and $2,000 effective April 1, 2018.
* If so employed for at least 25 years but less than 30 years, $2,000 effective April 1, 2016; $2,050 effective April 1, 2017; and $2,100 effective April 1, 2018.
* If so employed for at least 30 years, $2,100 effective April 1, 2016; $2,150 effective April 1, 2017; and $2,200 effective April 1, 2018.
* If so employed for at least 30 years, $2,100 effective April 1, 2016;
- Provides for the payment of pensionable annual location pay for certain affected employees, as follows:
* For employees whose principal place of employment is in New York City, Nassau County, Rockland County, Suffolk County or Westchester County, location pay at the annual rate applicable to such office or employee on April 1, 2015, commencing April 1, 2016; $4,000 commencing on April 1, 2018; $4,100 commencing October 1, 2018; and $4,200 commencing on March 31, 2019.
Where any of these employees already has received location pay during the periods indicated pursuant to any other law, the amounts specified herein will be offset by those amounts received, except that no employee who leaves service with the Unified Court System prior to the date on which the Chief Administrative Judge and the employee organization representing the negotiating unit including his or her position execute the memorandum of understanding including these provisions for location pay (or, if unrepresented, the date on which this measure becomes a law) shall be entitled to location pay under this measure.
Provides that, for all employees, increments and partial increments, longevity increments and extra-longevity increments shall not be paid, 1) unless an otherwise eligible employee shall have received other than an unsatisfactory performance rating for his or her services during the year immediately preceding, or 2) if as of the date on which this act becomes law, he or she already has received that bonus pursuant to previous law.
Service in the employ of the Unified Court System is defined as service in one or more courts or agencies of the Unified Court System, whether as a judge or as a nonjudicial officer or employee. The increase in salary or compensation for officers and employees under this act will be added to the salary or compensation of such officers and employees at the beginning of the payroll period the first day nearest to the effective date.
The changes in compensation set forth in this legislation shall not be implemented until the Chief Administrator of the courts delivers to the Comptroller a certificate that there is a written collective bargaining agreement with the State providing therefor.
This measure would take effect immediately and shall be deemed to have been in full force and effect retroactively as of April 1, 2016.
Legislative history
None. New proposal.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.