Hochul signs legislation to 'improve safety & prosperity of workers in New York state'

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul

To celebrate the New York City Labor Day parade, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed eight pieces of legislation aimed at protecting the workforce, as well as improving its ability to grow and prosper in this state.

“Coming from a union family, I know how critical organized labor is to building a strong middle class,” Hochul said. “… We are strengthening our commitment to working families and letting them know we have their backs every step of the way.”

S.8358C/A.8947C establishes the Retail Worker Safety Act, which requires retail employers to provide training and information to employees to prevent workplace violence based on a model workplace violence prevention training program produced by the state’s Department of Labor. Additionally, retail employers of 500 employees or more statewide must provide access to a silent alarm for retail employees in need of emergency assistance.

S.5085C/A.4066B requires automobile manufacturers to reimburse dealerships according to retail labor time guides, rather than manufacturer-produced time guides that often underestimate labor time for warranty repairs.

A.9265A/S.8608A requires contractors and subcontractors working on covered public projects to submit their payrolls or transcripts to a publicly accessible, certified electronic database that will be developed by the Department of Labor.

S.5500B/A.6146B requires state agencies responding to a freedom of information request for public employee disciplinary records to develop a policy to notify the employee of the request.

S.8216A/A.8876 will allow applicants to take relevant competitive civil service exams within 12 months of reaching the required age or educational requirements for that position.

S.8551/A.9349 requires the Department of Civil Service to review and update civil service exam questions no less than every five years.

S.8948/A.9935 requires information regarding judgments about a public employee’s inability to perform their duties due to a disability be provided to the employee and the employee’s representative.

S.8557/A.9386 allows for a public employee’s provisional credit to qualify for a promotional civil service examination for appointment from an eligible list.

New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said, “Gov. Hochul is not just walking side-by-side with our members in today's parade; she does it daily through her actions. The bills signed into law will improve the lives of our members and all working people. I commend the governor for partnering with our movement's public sector, private sector, building trades unions and the New York State AFL-CIO to build a better and stronger state for all hardworking New Yorkers.”

New York State Building Trades President Gary LaBarbera said, “Hardworking New Yorkers, particularly those in unions, prop up our economy, society, and the success of our future generations through the ways they fill critical needs and support their families, making it imperative that we continue to ensure that they have fair and safe working conditions. A key component of this is preventing employers from taking advantage of their workers and instilling more dignified wage practices. This is why we applaud Gov. Hochul for signing a bill that requires contractors to be transparent about their payrolls as a part of this legislative package, as it will only create more accountability amongst employers and help ensure workers are properly compensated, improving the livelihoods of thousands of middle-class New Yorkers and their families.”

Civil Service Employees Association President Mary E. Sullivan said, “We applaud Gov. Hochul for signing this legislative package into law. These new laws will enhance career advancement opportunities, broaden the applicant pool and guarantee fair and relevant testing for public sector jobs. This legislation builds on the governor’s ongoing commitment to strengthen the public sector workforce, including changes to tier 6 in this year’s budget. These reforms will help ensure that New York has the public sector workforce necessary to provide residents with the critical services and programs that they need.”

NYSUT President Melinda Person said, “Public servants are the lifeblood of our state and indispensable members of our school communities. Removing unnecessary barriers to their success on the civil service exam is common sense if we want to recruit New York’s best and brightest to these vital roles. We are proud of the NYSUT members who made their voices heard to get these bills passed in Albany, and we applaud the Legislature and Gov. Hochul for working to strengthen the workforce that protects, teaches and supports our students and their families.”

NYS Public Employees Federation President Wayne Spence said, “On behalf of the 54,000 members of the New York State Public Employees Federation, we appreciate Gov. Hochul’s support of these important bills. The laws will expand due process rights for public employees and make sensible changes to New York state’s civil service system. They are critical as we work to address the continued staffing issues across state agencies. Gov. Hochul has been a great partner in working towards common-sense solutions that benefit taxpayers, the state, and its public employees.”

Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union President Stuart Appelbaum said, “Retail workers – and shoppers – across New York will be safer because of this law. We are grateful that Gov. Hochul has focused on preventing retail violence and theft this legislative session. Retail workers should not have to go to work every day in fear; and this law goes a long way towards ending that. The Retail Worker Safety Act provides for preventative measures that will help deter violence and harassment before it starts; and most importantly, will assist workers in getting help quickly in the event of an emergency. From West Hempstead to Buffalo, union workers have suffered grave losses to senseless store shootings. The provisions in this bill can help to save lives, and with Gov. Hochul’s support and swift implementation, we know we will all be safer. Thank you to the governor for signing this important bill into law today, to our bill sponsors Sen. Jessica Ramos and Assembly member Karines Reyes, and all the co-sponsors of the RWSA for supporting this urgently needed retail worker protection law.”

NYS Conference of Operating Engineers President Thomas A. Callahan said, “The Electronic Certified Payroll Bill levels the playing field for good union contractors, creating a tool to expose the unscrupulous contractors who cheat their workers. The NYS Conference of Operating Engineers would like to thank Gov. Hochul for signing the bill into law and both bill sponsors, Assemblyman Harry Bronson and Sen. Jessica Ramos, for passing this historic legislation.”

Uniformed Fire Officers Association President James Brosi said, “We thank Gov. Hochul for signing S5500. Firefighters are held to a high standard. This standard does not mean that we should be unprotected by common-sense, fairness and due process. This bill will assure that those who work in public safety are notified of inquiries into their records, providing an opportunity for civil servants to explain accusations that are often unwarranted.”

UFA local 94 Vice President Bobby Eustace said, “When it comes to protecting members rights, the pensions they've earned and investing in future civil servants, the UFA is proud to support this legislation, and we thank bill sponsors Stacey Pheffer Amato, Bob Jackson and Gov. Hochul for passing and signing this Legislation info law.”

UAW Local 259 President Brian Schneck said, “The UAW is proud to have led the fight for the passage of this legislation. This bill is monumental and will add $900 million to New York’s taxable wage base while putting money in New Yorker’s pockets, not multinational corporations. New York state has effectively increased the weekly earnings for both union and non-union technicians. New York state is living up to our state motto, ‘Excelsior’; we are slamming the door shut on this egregious example of corporate greed. Highly skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced technicians no longer have the vehicle manufacturers ripping off their labor. Today, economic justice prevails!”