CSEA and NYS reach historic agreement expanding

Paid Parental Leave

ALBANY, NY (June 13, 2023) – CSEA Statewide Secretary Rich Bebo joined several Capital Region 4 members as Governor Hochul made the historic announcement today that an agreement was reached with CSEA to expand Paid Parental Leave (PPL).

“No one should have to choose between a paycheck and caring for their newborn child,” said Hochul. “In my State of the State, I put forward a nation-leading proposal to offer fully paid parental leave benefits to New York State employees — and today we are making good on that promise.”

This PPL expansion covers more than 52,000 state employees encompassing CSEA members in the Administrative Services Unit, Institutional Services Unit, Operational Services Unit and the Division of Military and Naval Affairs Unit who meet the eligibility criteria.

“This agreement recognizes that anyone who has the opportunity to become a parent either through childbirth, adoption or fostering should be allowed to spend the time to strengthen parental-child bonds without worrying about the economic impact of being on unpaid leave,” said Mary E. Sullivan, CSEA President. “Paid parental leave will be another great benefit for our union members across New York State and we are thankful that Governor Hochul is staying true to her commitment to make this happen. While much of the United States is far behind other countries regarding paid family and parental leave policies, New York has definitely taken a step in the right direction.”