NYS: Nearly $3 million in backpay to state employees who worked overtime during pandemic

More than 2,100 employees, including PEF and CSEA members, will receive payments on Dec. 20 or 28

Gov. Kathy Hochul, Public Employees Federation President Wayne Spence, and Civil Service Employees Association President Mary Sullivan announced an agreement to award nearly $3 million in backpay to more than 2,100 New York state employees who worked overtime during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hochul’s team said, “Starting this week, more than 1,700 PEF members and more than 400 members of CSEA and other unions, as well as unrepresented employees, will receive payments for work completed beyond traditional work hours at the height of the pandemic. Payments will be distributed during the next pay cycle on either Dec. 20 or 28.”

The governor said, “This agreement honors the tremendous contributions of New York state workers who went above and beyond to protect, inform, and serve their fellow New Yorkers at the height of the pandemic. As we enter the holiday season, we’re putting hard-earned overtime pay back in the hands of the dedicated civil servants who keep our state running, and I thank PEF and CSEA for their partnership on this agreement to give state employees the compensation they deserve.”

Spence said, “PEF is committed to securing overtime payment for all our members who stepped up to serve New Yorkers during the pandemic. This was money they earned with their sacrifice, and we thank Gov. Hochul for making sure public employees are fairly compensated. These hours were worked at great personal risk and helped keep New York operating during an unprecedented state of emergency.”

Sullivan said, “CSEA is pleased to say we were yet again able to work with Gov. Hochul in an amicable way to resolve these pay issues on behalf of our members. We look forward to our continued collaboration with the governor and thank her again for her support and willingness to work with us on this and many other issues we face.”

Under the agreement, 1,727 PEF members and 428 members of CSEA and other unions, as well as unrepresented employees, will receive payments averaging around $1,375. Employees on administration payroll will receive payments on Dec. 20. Employees on institution payroll will receive payments on Dec. 28.