State Budget Extender Passed

As the New York State Budget is not due to be finalized on its April 1 deadline, the Senate and Assembly have passed a budget extender covering payments to the Institutional payroll. Workers on this payroll are due to be paid on April 3.

In the absence of a final budget, the next required extender is for the Emergency payroll, which covers employees serving under the direction of the Governor to respond to natural disasters or other state emergencies. This extender is due by Thursday, April 3, 2025.

After that, the next required extender is for the Administration payroll. This extender is due by Monday, April 7, at noon. Workers on the Administration payroll are due to be paid on April 9.

CSEA does not expect any issues with the legislature passing these bills, and New York State employees are expected to be paid on schedule.

CSEA Union Bracket Challenge

In the spirit of March’s college basketball tournaments, CSEA is launching our own Union Bracket Challenge! Pick from 32 CSEA resources and see which one wins. All of our union’s resources are important, but just have fun! Results will be shared online and in The Work Force.
Fill out your bracket

CSEA testifies in support of public workforce investments

On Wednesday, February 26, CSEA Legislative Director Joshua Terry testified on behalf of our union at the New York State Workforce Budget Hearing before the Senate and Assembly. Our union’s testimony emphasized the critical need for sustained investments in state agencies, health care facilities, local governments, schools, and child care programs. CSEA also advocated for policies that remove barriers to public sector employment and strengthen workforce recruitment and retention efforts.
Read CSEA’s written testimony

SEIU rejoins AFL-CIO – A Win for All Unions

This week, the AFL-CIO announced that the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is re-joining the federation after nearly 20 years of division, bringing roughly 2 million service and care workers back to the now nearly 15 million-member AFL-CIO.

“Workers know it’s better in a union, and together we are stronger in our organizing and bargaining fights because there is power in unity,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.

This reunion helps build the power of unions in this country. It empowers CSEA to draw on the strength and affiliation we have with the AFL-CIO as vital to the health and power of our union.

Screenshot by the National Weather Service (weather.gov)

Governor proposes inflation refund for millions of New Yorkers

Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to put money in YOUR pockets with New York’s first-ever inflation refund! Her proposal would send an inflation refund check to 8.6 million New Yorkers.

“This tax rebate is welcome news for CSEA members struggling with their finances,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “CSEA applauds Governor Hochul for doing the right thing for the working people of New York.”

Learn more

The 2025 CSEA Calendar is here!

Order yours today:

SCAM ALERT: Fake Email – All Inclusive Vacation Giveaway

There is a fake email circulating inviting CSEA members to enter a giveaway for an all-inclusive vacation. THIS IS A SCAM. It did not originate from CSEA. It comes from a suspicious email address and attempts to trick members into clicking and giving away personal information. PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS. Report it to your IT Department and/or delete it when you see it!

A screenshot of what the email looks like is included here for reference.

State launches campaign to HELP fill public jobs

The New York State Department of Civil Service has launched the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) Program to help public employers fill critical vacancies.

The state has also kicked off a public awareness campaign to promote public employment and numerous public service career opportunities.

The StateJobsNY website has also been revamped.

As Gov. Kathy Hochul and Civil Service Commissioner Timothy Hogues have noted, the state is working to improve its civil service hiring process, including eliminating barriers to entering civil service, meeting job seekers where they are and seeking diverse talent to public jobs.

CSEA is working in partnership with the Governor and her administration to help recruit and retain public employees.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli in a screenshot from the recruitment video.

Watch the video

Apply NOW for WDI Child Care Scholarship Program

The Workforce Development Institute (WDI) launched child care scholarships to help working families with the high cost of child care in the Capital District and Western New York.

The average monthly scholarship is $1,000 per child, paid directly to child care providers for full-time care.

Eligibility guidelines apply. Scholarships are open to any resident of Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Monroe and Erie counties working 10 hours or more or is in an education of training program under the maximum eligible income.

CSEA members and families are urged to apply now! This program will go fast. It is open to the public and will end when funding runs out.

Visit WDINY.org/childcare to get an application and complete the prescreen. For questions, email scholarship@wdiny.org.

Download flyer to learn more about the program and eligibility guidelines.