By Eileen Buckley
Albany, NY – A five-year labor deal has been reached between the Governor and one of the state's largest unions. Governor Cuomo and the Civil Service Employees Association reached agreement.
The proposed contract includes a three year wage freeze and a redesign of employee health care contributions and benefit system. Cuomo said this would generate a $73 million savings this fiscal year. It would mean a total workforce savings of more than $1.6 billion over three years.
"I applaud CSEA's leadership for their hard work to reach this deal which is a win-win for CSEA members and the State of New York," Governor Cuomo said. "This tentative contract, if adopted by the other bargaining units, means layoffs needed to achieve needed workforce savings would be avoided. CSEA members are the backbone of state government, responsible for delivering services to 19 million New Yorkers. I commend the union and its leadership for making a significant contribution to help get the state's fiscal house in order and making the shared sacrifices these difficult times require. Working together, we will turn this state around and get our economy moving once again."
The Governor has threatened to layoff more than 9,000 state employees if cost-savings are not met. The deal covers 66,000 state employees who work under the CSEA contract.
If ratified by union members it would prevent layoffs. CSEA President Danny Donohue says this deal responds to the union's concerns about job.
"These are not ordinary times and CSEA and the Cuomo Administration have worked very hard at the bargaining table to produce an agreement that balances shared sacrifice with fairness and respect. CSEA stepped up to help produce the Labor savings that Governor Cuomo sought while the Governor responded to CSEA's concerns about job security along with a wage and benefit package that recognizes the pressures on working people. I have known Governor Cuomo for many years and I know that his commitment to organized labor and working families is deeply held and second to no one," said Donohue.
The State's Public Employees Federation continues to wait to hear back from the state on the union's latest offer.
"PEF stands ready to meet with the state's negotiators to reach an agreement that balances the needs of our members as well as the needs of the state."
PEF is the state's second-largest, state-employee union, representing 56,000 professional, scientific and technical employees.