What's happening
This bill ensures that collective bargaining agreements granting greater rights to public employees are not limited by existing civil service law regarding suspension or demotion.
Why it matters
Strengthens union-negotiated protections. This bill ensures that if a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) gives public employees stronger rights (such as better protections against suspension or demotion) than the minimum required by civil service law, those enhanced rights will prevail.
Supports labor-management flexibility. By explicitly allowing CBAs to set higher standards, the bill encourages tailored agreements that can better address the needs or circumstances of specific public employee groups, rather than a rigid one-size-fits-all approach.
Limits civil service law as a ceiling, not a floor. The amendment clarifies that civil service law sets only the baseline for employee rights. Unions and employers can negotiate for more robust protections, and those will be honored even if they go beyond statutory requirements.
Potential impact on job security during workforce changes. In cases of layoffs, demotions, or position reductions, this change could make it harder for public employers to override union contracts, potentially leading to greater job stability for affected employees.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Public Worker Rights
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A779
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.286
- 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.
Protect Public Workers' Rights
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Stacey Pheffer Amato
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
12
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. JACKSON -- 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 the rights of public employees related to suspension or demotion upon the abolition or reduction of positions
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 80 of the civil service law is amended by adding a new subdivision 10 to read as follows:
10. Effect of collective bargaining agreements. Nothing contained in this section shall modify, replace or supersede any provision of a collective bargaining agreement that provides for greater rights than required by this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00084-01-5
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 the rights of public employees related to suspension or demotion upon the abolition or reduction of positions
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this legislation is to ensure section 80 of the civil service law does not supersede collective bargaining agreements.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends § 80 of the Civil Service Law by adding a new subsection 10 to prevent section 80 from superseding collective bargain- ing agreements that provide layoff rights that exceed what is authorized in section 80.
Section 2: Provides that the act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
Prior to Chapter 676 of the Laws of 2023, non-competitive and labor class employees in local governments and school districts did not have any layoff rights under the law. Due to this, some school districts and municipalities had negotiated layoff procedures in collective bargaining agreements with employee organizations to provide such rights. However, the New York State Department of Civil Service has interpreted Chapter 676 of the Laws of 2023 as superseding these collective bargaining agreements, even when the language exceeds what is required by section 80.
This legislation would ensure that section 80 is the floor for layoff rights, not the ceiling, and would allow employers and unions t o nego- tiate layoff rights that exceed what is in law.
Prior legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.